What Types of Motors Can Be Used with VFDs
Highlights
1. Variable Frequency Drive and Motor compatibility
2. All Motor Manufactured today are VFD rated. It is now the standard practice
3. Check the Name plate for VFD or inverter duty though many manufacturers don’t include it which leads to the frequent question.
4. If your motor is 5 to 10 years old you need to confirm if your motor is inverter rated.
5. Always disconnect power and discharge capacitor completely before handling the VFD. The VFD capacitor can still hold harmful amount of charge after being disconnected. Kindly leave for a while.
6. VFD varies the frequency and voltage of the power supply to your electric motor.
Motors compactible with a VFD
1. AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet Motors(Specifically made for VFD)
2. AC Synchronous Brushless Motors
3. AC Asynchronous Wound Rotor Motors (When the power source is not adequate enough for high starting torque)
4. AC Asynchronous Squirrel Cage Motors(Most Common over the years)
Ratings to check on the electric Motor
1. Inverter Duty
2. Inverter Ready
3. Even without the above, you can check the Motor Data sheet if you can find the insulation Class F or H. The higher the insulation class, the higher the allowable operational temperature.
Precautions.
1. Make use of line reactors to absorb your power line disturbances that can shut down your system
2. The cable or lead length from your VFD to your Electric Motor should not be more than 50 feet.
3. Run your motor within allowable maximum and minimum speed
4. Run with the rated Frequency