variable frequency drive and its energy saving by MD FARYAD ALAM

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A
DISSERTATION INTERNSHIP REPORT
ON
TO STUDY VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE AND
ITS ENERGY SAVINGS
Submitted for partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the
Degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
BY
MD FARYAD ALAM
(GURU GONIND SINGH EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY’S TECHNICAL CAMPUS)
National Highway 32, Kandra, Chas, Jharkhand 827013
(SESSION 2019-22, REGD.NO-18031465001)
UNDER SUPERVISION OF
Ms. NAG MANI DEEPA (Senior Officer - Automation and IT) HPCL BOKARO IRD
(Duration :DECEMBER 13, 2O21 TO February 13, 2022)
HINDUSTAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION LIMITED
BIADA StReet, BAlIDIH, BoKARO Steel CIty, JHARKHAnD 827014

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The internship opportunity I had with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
was a great chance for learning and professional development. Therefore, I consider
myself as a very lucky individual as I was provided with an opportunity to be a part
of it. I am also grateful for having a chance to meet so many wonderful people and
professionals who led me though this internship period.
Bearing in mind previous I am using this opportunity to express my deepest
gratitude and special thanks to the Assistant Manager MS. Priyanka mam who in
spite of being extraordinarily busy with her duties, took time out to hear, guide and
keep me on the correct path and allowing me to carry out my project at their
esteemed organization and extending during the training.
I express my deepest thanks to my project guide MS. NAG MANI DEEPA, (Senior
officer Automation and IT )for taking part in useful decision & giving necessary
advices and guidance and arranged all facilities to make life easier. I choose this
moment to acknowledge his/her contribution gratefully.
I perceive as this opportunity as a big milestone in my career development. I will
strive to use gained skills and knowledge in the best possible way, and I will
continue to work on their improvement, in order to attain desired careerobjectives.
Hope to continue cooperation with all of you in the future.
Sincerely

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ABSTRACT
As the demands of industrial needs varying the more outputs of the precise control of
our basic electrical prime movers i.e. motor. As compared to AC motors the DC
motors are easy to control but with increase in capacity they have their own
limitations. Conversely AC motors particularly the Squirrel Cage induction motors
are more economical but the speed control of these motor are quiet difficult because
alteration of supply frequency is require. Nowadays with technological advancement
in drives system, the control of AC motors is more economically, easy to use and the
control the range of speed both below and above the base speed.
According to the requirement, these drives can fundamentally alter the voltage and
the frequency Because of user friendly feature and reasonable cost these devices are
gaining more popularity. As the Variable Frequency Device use the embedded
system they can be programmed for automatic control reducing the manual
intervention and interfaced to the computer.

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CONTENT
SL.NO
CHAPTER
TOPICS PAGE
NO.
01 INTRODUCTION
05-12
02 VFD OPERATION
13-26
03 RELATION BETWEEN VFD AND POWER FACTOR
27-31
04 HARMONICS AND ITS EFFECT
32-36
05 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
37-38

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Variable Frequency Drive
The industry of Variable Frequency Drive is growing rapidly and now it is more important for
technician and the maintenance personnel to keep the installation of VFD running smoothly. The
Variable Frequency Drive contains sufficient information for a technician to troubleshoot any
AC Variable, virtually eliminating the need for manufacturer-specific manuals.
1. Variable Frequency Drive (AC drives) are used to stepless speed control of squirrel cage
induction motors mostly used in process plants due to its ruggedness and maintenance
free long life.
2. VFD control speed of motor by varying output voltage and frequency through
sophisticated microprocessor controlled electronics device.
3. VFD consists of Rectifier and inverter units. Rectifier converts AC in DC voltage and
inverter converts DC voltage back in AC voltage.
Figure no. 1.1 Variable Frequency Drive at HPCL Bokaro depot(MCC
Block)

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YASKAWA A1000 VFD
At HPCL BOKARO depot location YASKAWA A1000 VFD is installed for the purpose of
control the motors.The VFD is installed on the panel at MOTOR CONTROL CENTRE area.The
entire operations to control the different motors are performed by the electrician presented there.
The A1000 is a full featured drive, providing outstanding quality,performance, flexibility,
and environmental friendliness through 1000HP. Enjoy network communications feedback, and
expandable I/O to control anything from simple fans and pumps to complex machines. For new
installations or retrofits, the A1000 provides a single robust solution, regardless of your
application. ,
Followings are the some features of YASKAWA A1000 VFD
1. Closed or open loop vector control for outstanding regulation, torque production, and
position control capability.
2. Continuous Auto-tuning optimizes performance by compensating for changes in motor
temperature.
3. High Frequency Injection enables high precision open loop control of Interior Permanent
Magnet Motors.
4. Fast acting current and voltage limiters help achieve continuous drive operation during
periods of excessive demand.
5. High Slip Braking reduces installation cost and the need for dynamic braking resistors
Communication options for all major industrial networks provides high speed control
and monitoring, reducing installation cost.

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In order to maintain proper power factor and reduce excessive heating of the motor, the name
plate volts/hertz ratio must be maintained. This is the main task of Variable Frequency Drive.
The main parts of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) are the converter, inverter and the controller.
The converter rectifies the AC input to DC and the inverter converts the DC to an adjustable
frequency and adjustable voltage AC signal. Both must be adjustable to provide a constant volt
to hertz ratio. A circuit filters the DC before it is sent to the inverter. The controller regulates the
output voltage and frequency based upon feed-back signal from process. If the load is a pump,
this is usually a pressure sensor.
Voltage source inverters use a silicon controlled rectifier to build a sine wave for input to the
motor. The steps used to build waveform create harmonics that are reflected to the power source.
The steps of waveform causes current pulse that make the motor cog at low frequencies and
damage keyways and couplings may result.
Current source inverters use an SCR to control the current to the motor. This is also done with
multiple steps and has same problems with cogging and harmonics as the voltage source system.
Many vendors only offer the voltage or current source systems for large horse power motors of
over 300 HP.
Applying Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s):-
The most types of adjustable speed loads are variable torque, constant torque and constant horse
power loads. Variable torque load require much lower torque at low speeds than at high speed. In
this type of load, the horse power varies approximately as the square of the speed. This type of
load is found in centrifugal fans, pumps and blower.
One practical use of the VFD now is the household washing machine. For years, industrial
washing machine have been employed VFDs on three phase motors. Today, VFD is low enough
in cost to be incorporated into the home’s washer. The VFD provides its ability to change the
rotational directional of motor. This allows the washing machine to be a front load type, thus
using less water in cycle. The VFD allows for over speeding of motor to accomplish this and

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thus the clothes get much dryer while still in washing machine. This means that the drying time
is reduced and saves electric costs overtime.
Easy Installation
The installation process of VFD is quite simple as many parts of equipments are industrial
manufactured and are transportable as each units are manufacture partly. The main parts of VFD
i.e. the line for communication; power controlling auxiliaries and the motor connected wire all
are easily transportable. The cooling parts are also manufactured partly and are easily
transportable for its installation. There is only need to connect the installing contractor to the
power line supply to the VFD.
Shrinking cost and size
In today’s life Electrical motor control for the purpose of industrial are used by many drives.
Among these drives some are of fixed speed drives and some are of variable speed drive
depending upon their application. However in earlier times the drives of variable speed had
various limitations regarding their efficiencies, speed and space but after the invention of power
electronics device and the application into the drives the scene is completely transformed,
nowadays VSD which are constructed smaller in shape but also very efficient and highly
reliable. The usage of it is more logical when it applies with least expensive in cost and simple to
implement.
Common VFD Terms
For controlling speed of the motor there are several terms used in the industrial field. The terms
are used to have different meanings, while the acronyms are often used interchangeably.

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Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
 For controlling the speed of the motor, this device basically consists of Power electronics
equipments which aim to vary the supply frequency of thesystem.
Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD)
 It is a more generic terms for the application in the field of mechanical and electrical for
the means of speed controlling.
Variable Speed Drive (VSD)
 This type of drives is used for controlling the speed of the driven equipments by the
motor or the motor itself. Basically this type of devices are used in the speed drives of
mechanical, electrical or hydrostatic types.
Mechanical Variable Speed Drive Method
Historically, electrical VSD’s (Variable Speed Drives) even DC Drives were complex and
expensive and were only used for most important and difficult applications. The mechanical
drives were developed for insertion between a fixed speed electric drive motor and shaft of the
driven machine. Many engineers (mainly Mechanical Engineer) are still favored the Mechanical
Variable Speed Drives for some applications mainly because of simplicity and low cost.
There are two types of mechanical variable speed drives:-
1. Belt and Chain Drives with adjustable diameter sheaves
2. Metallic friction drives
Hydrostatic Variable Speed Drive method
This type of hydraulic VSD is most commonly used in mobile equipment such as transportation,
earth moving mining machinery. A prime mover is basically responsible for driven a hydraulic
pump usually at a fixed speed and transfer the hydraulic fluid to hydraulic motor. The hydraulic

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motor and pump are usually housed in the same casing that allows closed circuit circulation of
the hydraulic fluid from pump to motor and back.
The speed of hydraulic motor is directly proportional to the rate of flow of fluid and the
displacement motor the hydraulic motor. Consequently the VSD is based on control of both fluid
flow and displacement of motor and /or adjustment of the pump. Practically these drives are
capable of a stepless adjustable from zero to full synchronous speed.
For making a hydraulic VSD ideal for earthmoving and mining equipments, the main advantages
of hydraulic Variable Speed Drives are:-
1. High torque available at low speed
2. High power to weight ratio
3. The drive unit does not damaged even it is stalls at full speed
4. Hydrostatics VSDs are normal bi-directional
Up to a power rating of 25 KW, the output speed can be varied smoothly from about 40rev/min
to 1450rev/min. Speed adjustment can be done manually from a hand-wheel or remotely using a
servo-motor. The main disadvantage is poor holding capability. Speed may drop by up to
35rev/min between 0% and 100% load. Hydraulic speed drives are basically two types:-
1. Hydrodynamic types
2. Hydrostatic types
Electrical Variable Speed Drive Method
In contrast to the variable speed control method of mechanical and hydraulic speed drive, the
electrical variable speed drives are basically the speed of electric motor itself, rather than a
intermediary device controlled. Variable speed drives that control the speed of DC motors are
loosely called DC Variable Speed Drives or simply DC Drives and those that control the Speed
of AC motors are called AC Variable Speed Drive or simply AC Drives. Almost all the electrical
VSDs are designed for operation from the standard three phase AC power system supplysystem.

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Figure no. 1.2 comparing between the capacity control of mechanical and speed [20]
Energy savings
Savings in Energy can be work with the applications of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). These
saving are achieved by eliminating throttling and friction losses affiliated with mechanical or
electromechanical adjustable speed technologies. Efficiency, quality and reliability can also be
improved. The application of variable frequency drive is load dependent.
Scope for power saving with Variable frequency Drive
Table no. 1.1 Relation between of flow, head and power with respect to speed
% SPEED % FLOW % HEAD % POWER
Ns Q α (Ns) H α (Ns)2
P α (Ns)3
100 100 100 100
90 90 81 73
80 80 64 51
70 70 49 34
60 60 36 22
50 50 25 13
40 40 16 06
30 30 09 03

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As we know the variation of flow, head and power with respect to speed are as follows:
1. Flow α Speed
2. Head α (Speed)2
3. Power α (Speed)3
The table shows the relation of flow, head and power with respect to speed for e.g. at 50% speed
flow reduces to 50%, head reduces to 25% and power reduces to 13%.
Controller
The aim of the Power Electronic Drive Controller is to obtain optimum performance from the
motor, to obtain the maximum power from it over as wide a speed range as is required, to
achieve highest operating efficiency from the motor and to obtain the best dynamic performance
possible. In all case it is it is necessary for the motor and the controller to be matched together
carefully if overall optimum performance is to be achieved. Hence the starting point of
exploration into Variable Frequency Drive must be the motor, how it works, how it develops
torque and how to understand it when operating as Variable Speed Drive.
Earlier the Variable Speed Motors have been DC motors and they reigned supreme in this field
since electricity has been put to practical use. However there is an increasing area of application
where the DC motor is unable to satisfy the performance required or cope with environment
specified. In some cases it is the lack of commutator or brush gear which can decide on the use
of an AC Motor. In others it is the need for speeds above those achievable with a DC motor in
yet other it may be wish to apply a Variable Speed Controller to an existing fixed motor. It may
even be the ready availability of an AC motor which is the deciding factor. Whatever the reason
may be, the availability of a wide range of Variable Frequency Drive system is leading to a
steady increase in the use of AC variable speed motor drives throughout the industry and this
trend is clearly going to continue.
Figure no. 1.3 Controller is connected to main supply and electrical machine

Operation
The Variable Frequency Drive comprises the parts
DC bus. The supply voltage is firstly pass through a rectifier unit where in gets converted into
AC to DC supply, the three phase
converts into DC supply. The
generated during the AC to DC conversion are filtered out. The last section consists of a inverter
section which comprises with six
DC supply is being converted to quasi sinusoidal wave of AC supply which is supply to the
induction motor connected to it. In
AC power is converted to DC,
inverter. A set of SCR switches are used to convert the DC to three phase AC power to drive
induction motor. Bypass diodes are needed for reactive power flow and to clamp the voltage to
that of DC supply. The filter supplies a DC voltage to the inverter that is largely independent of
load current due to filter capacitor. The inverter
DC converter output may be fixed or variable (voltage or current) depending on the type of
inverter and the filter used.
Figure no.
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CHAPTER 2
VFD OPERATION
The Variable Frequency Drive comprises the parts - a input Rectifier unit, a inverter unit and a
firstly pass through a rectifier unit where in gets converted into
phase supply is fed with three phase full wave diode
DC bus comprises with a filter section where
section which comprises with six IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) where the filtered
In a basic DC-link variable frequency motor controller,
filtered and then converted to variable frequency
capacitor. The inverter tends to keep the current constant. The AC
no. 2.1 Mechanical capacity control [21]
a input Rectifier unit, a inverter unit and a
firstly pass through a rectifier unit where in gets converted into
diode where it gets
where the harmonics
IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) where the filtered
controller, the input
frequency DC byan
constant. The AC to

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As we know that the synchronous speed of motor is directly proportional to the supply
frequency, therefore synchronous speed of the motor can easily vary by changing the value of the
frequency. This is the main working phenomenon of the VFD.
Example:
For a 2-pole asynchronous motor, the synchronous speeds at different supply frequencies are:-
 3600 rpm = 60 ×120

2
 3000 rpm = 50× 120

2
 2400 rpm = 40× 120

2
As the frequency can easily variable as compared with the poles of the motor therefore speed
control drive is termed as Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).
Speed control of Induction Motor
Basically synchronous speed and the rated speed are the two terms of speed used in motor. The
synchronous speed is defined as the speed of motor at which its magnetic field rotates. It is
basically the theoretical speed of the motor when the shaft of the motor bears no load and the
bearing of the motor faces no friction in the motor. The factors which affecting the synchronous
speed are the supply frequency and the stator magnetic poles. The calculation by which the
synchronous speed is to be calculated is given by the following equation:-
Speed (rpm) = Frquency ( Hertz)× 120
No. of Poles
Where;
Frequency = Supply Frequency of the Electrical power in Hz.
Number of Poles = Number of electrically magnetic poles presents in the stator of the motor.
In India, the supply frequency of the Electrical power is basically fixed i.e. 50Hz and the number
of poles presents in the stator is basically the factor of design which affects the speed of the

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motor. In practical the rotor speed of the induction motor slightly lags as compared with the
synchronous speed at the time of running. This lags is basically expressed in percentage of the
synchronous speed which is called as “Slip”. Slip is basically defined as the difference of rated
speed from the synchronous speed and is divided with the synchronous speed. The equation for
slip calculation is given below:-
Slip = (Synchronous Speed–Rated Speed
)
Synchronous Speed
Constant V/F Ratio Operation
All Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) maintain the output voltage – to – frequency (V/f) ratio
constant at all speeds for the reason that follows. The phase voltage V, frequency f and the
magnetic flux ϕ of motor are related by the equation:-
V = 4.444 f N ϕm or V/f = 4.444 ×N ϕm
Where N = number of turns per phase.
If the same voltage is applied at the reduced frequency, the magnetic flux would increase and
saturate the magnetic core, significantly distorting the motor performance. The magnetic
saturation can be avoided by keeping the ϕm constant. Moreover, the motor torque is the product
of stator flux and rotor current. For maintaining the rated torque at all speeds the constant flux
must be maintained at its rated value, which is basically done by keeping the voltage – to –
frequency (V/f) ratio constant. That requires the lowering the motor voltage in the same
proportion as the frequency to avoid magnetic saturation due to high flux or lower than the rated
torque due to low flux.

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How Drive Changes Motor Speed
As the drive provides the frequency and voltage of output necessary to change the speed of a
motor, this is done through Pulse Width Modulation Drives. Pulse width modulation (PWM)
inverter produces pulses of varying widths which are combined to build the required waveform.
A diode bridge is used in some converters to reduce harmonics. PWM produce a current
waveform that more closely matches a line source, which reduces undesired heating. PWM drive
have almost constant power factor at all speeds which is closely to unity. PWM units can also
operate multiple motor on a single drive.
Figure no. 2.2 Circuit Diagram of Basic VFD [21]
In a square wave inverter, each input is connected alternatively to the positive and negative
power supply outputs to give a square wave approximation to an AC waveform at a frequency
that is determined by gating of switches. The voltage in each output line phase shifted by 1200
to
provide a three phase source.
The switches provide a stair-step voltage for each motor phase at frequency below rated
frequency of the motor, the applied voltage must be reduced otherwise the current to the motor
will be excessive and cause magnetic saturation. A decreasing voltage level to keep the flux

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constant can be done with square wave inverter decreasing DC voltage as motor speed is reduced
below the rated speed. This can be done by a controlled rectifier but this problem with harmonics
in the power system of supplying controller.
Switching Bus with IGBTs
Nowadays the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) present in inverter which used to switch
ON and OFF of the DC bus at specific intervals. Thus a variable AC voltage and frequency is
being created by the inverter. The output sine waveform is being shown in fig 2.3. The control
circuit present in the power circuit is signaling from the drives to turn ON at the positive half
cycle or negative half cycle of a power device. This clears that as long as the power device
remains ON, the output voltage remains higher. Also for frequency point of view the higher the
frequency states for longer the power device ON.
Figure no. 2.3 Drive Output Waveform Components[21]
Thus the carrier frequency is derived from the speed of the power device switch remains ON and
OFF. It is also called switch frequency. Therefore higher the carrier frequency higher the
resolution for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) contains. The typical carrier frequency ranges

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from 3KHz to 4 KHz or 3000 to 4000 times per second as compared with older SCR based
carrier frequency which ranges from 250 to 500 times per second. Thus it is clear as much as
higher the carrier frequency higher will be the resolution of output waveform. It is also noted that
the carrier frequency decreases the efficiency of the drive because it led to increase the heat of
the drive circuit.
VFD asStarters
Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) take place of a starter. They have both starting capability and
overload protection built in. In fact the microprocessor control the most drives provides
additional protection against other faults (such as under-voltage, over-voltage, ground fault, loss
of phase, etc.). Variable Speed Drives also provide for soft-start of the motor (if so programmed)
reducing inrush current and reducing wear on belts and sheaves. While a starter not required
when a VSD/VFD is used, one may be provided as a back up to the drive so that the motor can
be run at a full speed in case the drive fails. The Variable Frequency Drive as a starter has
following advantage:-
1. It provides a high starting torque compared to other methods.
2. Line current can be made sinusoidal with displacement power factor unity with apulse
width modulation (PWM) rectifier.
3. The same converter can be used on a time-sharing mode for other motors.
4. The converter can be bypassed after starting the motor to eliminate the converterlosses.
5. At light loads the voltage can be adjusted to improve the running efficiency.
The Variable Frequency as a starter is very similar to Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in
design and is gradually becoming widely used due to falling power electronics prices and
stringent power quality standards on the line harmonics imposed on the variable frequency
motor drives.

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Low Inrush Motor Starting
Small induction motors can be started directly from lines. However, the starting inrush current in
a large motor with high inertia can be high and last for a prolonged time, causing the motor to
overheat. Moreover the lights may flicker under excessive voltage dip in the lines. Using a star –
delta starter, an autotransformer or a phase controlled voltage step-down converter, the starting
the motor with reduced voltage. All these methods result in low starting torque proportional to
the applied voltage squared and are not really for starting a large motor with high initial torque
load.
Soft Starters
During soft starting of a motor, the frequency and the voltage starts from a small value and ramp
up to a full rated value in a linear ramp. However, near zero speed and frequency at starting, the
inductive reactance is negligible and the voltage setting the air gap flux is V-IstatorRstator. For
constant air gap flux requires then (V-IstatorRstator)/f must be maintained constant. The required
boost decays as the motor speeds up under increasing frequency and this ratio in the V/f ratio
linearly ramping up. The rate at which V and f are ramped up depends on the load inertia. The
ramping is done over a longer time for high inertia loads than for low inertia loads.
Figure no. 2.4 VFD soft starter panels in MCC

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Low Full Load KVA
Basically the total amount of power present in KVA offers the limiting factor of energy that is to
be transferred though other electrical devices. During period of peak demand if the required
KVA by the equipments can be reduced then it will help to improve voltage sags, power
shortages of Power and blackouts. Power factor and the unity efficiency are evenly measured
while estimating Kilo Volt Ampere .This means that the power factor is indirectly proportional
to KVA, but the equipment may be equal or worse in efficiency.
To closely match with the load a backup generator is typically the same sized is provided. The
size of generator required can be reduced by lowering the KVA. with the application of Active
front are used in the Variable Frequency Drives the ratio of KW/KVA is tends to be ideal i.e. 1:1
which resulting effect on the size of the generator, This is the reason that the power factor tend to
unity and also the harmonics that give rise from the Variable Frequency Drive is very less. Also
decreasing the value of KVA acquires the usefulness objects. So from the usage of same
transmission objects the total power in (KW) can be conveyed.
A drive can control two main elements of a three phase induction motor. Basically the two parts
of the motor are the rotor and the stator which works through magnetic interaction. A motor
contains pair of pole. The iron pieces which are present in stator, wound in a specific pattern to
provide a north south magnetic field.
With one pole pair which is isolated in a motor the rotor shaft rotates at a specific speed which is
termed as base speed. This speed can be determines by the number of poles and the frequency
applied to it. The formula includes the effect called “slip”. Slip is basically the difference
between the speed of rotor and the stator magnetic field rotating. When a magnetic passes
through the conductor of the rotor, the magnetic field of the rotor takes on of its own. These
magnetic fields rotor will try to catch up to the rotating field of the stator. However this never
happens and thus the difference is called slip. The slip is what that allows a motor toturn.
Motor Slip:
Shaft Speed = 120 × F/P
Slip for NEMA B Motor = 3 to 5% of Base Speed which is 1800 RPM at Full Load

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F = Frequency applied to the motor
P = Number of motor poles
Example:
Shaft Speed = 120 × 60
No.of Poles
By changing the frequency we can change the speed of motor. Another way to change the motor
speed by changing the no. of poles, but this change would be a physical change of the motor. It
would further require rewinding and result increase in step changing to the speed. So keep in
view of cost efficiency, convenience and precision, we change the frequency. Also the torque
developing characteristics of every motor is the volts per hertz (V/Hz). To change the motor
torque we can change this ratio. For example, an induction motor connected to a 460V,
60Hzsource then the ratio of (V/Hz) will be 7.67. Thus as long as this ratio stays in proportion
the motor will develop rated torque. A drive provides the output of many different frequencies.
By changing the given output frequency of the drive, we will get a new torquecurve.
Load characteristics of Induction Motor
In practical, the loads are of different types with variable speed torque curves are available. As
develop motor torque is equal to requirement of load torque then the load system of the motor is
said to be stable. With comparison to the time constant of mechanical, in most drives the
electrical time constant of motor is negligible. Therefore during transient operation, the motor
can be assumed to be an electrically equilibrium, implying that the steady state torque speed
curve is also applicable to transient state operation.
Figure 8 represent the Four-quadrant diagram for mode of operation of variable speed drive. In
Quadrant 1 both the speed and torque represent in positive direction, therefore the Quadrant 1 is
termed as forward motoring quadrant. Similarly in Quadrant 3 both speed and torque represent in
negative direction, therefore it is termed as reverse motoring.

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Figure no. 2.5 Four –Quadrant operation [20]
Similarly in Quadrant 2 and 4 both the speed and torque are mutually opposed each other which
resultant gives as braking effect. Thus both the quadrant 2 and 4 termed as reverse and forward
braking.
For a trouble free operation of VSDs, the characteristics of loads are particularly important. Load
refers to essentially to the output of torque and the corresponding speed
characteristics can be classified as follows:-
required. Load
 Constant torque and variable speed loads characteristics
 Variable torque and variable speed load characteristics
 Constant power loads characteristics
 Constant power and constant load characteristics
Constant Power Load Characteristics
This type of load is rare but is sometime found in industry. The torque varies while the power
remains constant. The torque is inversely proportional to the speed at which the theoretically
meaning is the infinite torque at zero speed and zero torque at the infinite speed. This type of
load is characteristics of the traction droves, which require high torque at low speeds for initial
acceleration and then a much reduced torque when at a running speed.

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Load – Commutated VFD
The load – commutated thyristors in a CSI is widely used with large multi megawatt
synchronous motor for pumps, compressors, rolling mills and ship propulsion. For high power
drives, 12 pulse converters are used to lower harmonic content. The VFD is load – commutated
by leading power factor of the synchronous motor that can achieve by over exciting the rotor
field to obtain higher back – emf induced in motor armature. The frequency and the phases of the
three phase current are synchronized to the rotor position and the current commutation in the
inverter thyristor is accomplished by using motor back – emf. Slow speed thyristor can be used
both sides. This makes the inverter simple, cost effective, energy efficient and reliable compared
to CSI with an induction motor.
Figure no. 2.6 Variable Controller [21]
Automated Systems and Machine Control
The VFD is used to do more than vary the speed of an electric motor. First, in order to run the
motor, the VFD must be programmed for the control scheme that is expected to utilize. Next, the
VFD is expected in many automated systems to perform some minor logic operations,

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determining when and how fast to run the motor it is controlling. Basic VFD control scheme
typically are called two wire or three wire control schemes. Two – wire control scheme utilize
just two wires for the sequencing (run/stop) phase of operation, whereas three wire scheme need
a third wire. Thus the starting, stopping and directional (motor rotation) commands necessary to
motor operation are picked up here. All machines with AC motors and VFD control have to have
a determination made as to how these signals are to be sequenced and from where they shall
come. The drive is not all knowing; the user must tell the drive this basic controlscheme.
The reference is the term given to that signal that the drives receives, typically from an external
potentiometer or PLC controller, that directly relates to how fast it is to make the AC motor run .
Reference signal can be in a 0 to 10 volts DC, 0 to 5 Volts DC mode or can be 4 to 20
milliamperes. These signals can be scaled inside the drive to correspond to low and high speed of
the motor. They are usually bias adjustments for these signals, as many times as they are not true
and exact voltages. These flexibility by the VFD allows for deviations to be corrected.
Additional control terminal at the drives are low voltage inputs and outputs, with many being
configurable by the user for the machine or process. There are contacts to indicate that the VFD
is running ok and there are no faults. Additionally, many drives come equipped to send analog
signals out to drive – speed meters. Thus it is possible to utilize many control options whenever
setting up a VFD on any one machine. The VFDs, equipped with extensive and programmable
capabilities, can be made to be very different from different from one another when the machine
or automated – process needs have to be met.
Transmission line effects
The Variable Frequency Drive consists of a chain of pulses which is switched at the carrier
frequency of the output voltage of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). The transmission line effect
of cable between drive and the motor must be considered as the rapid rise time of these pulses.
The pulses tend to reflect back from motor terminals into the cable, as the transmission line
impedance of cable and motor are different. Putting high stress on the cable and the motor
winding and also the eventual insulation failure the resulting voltage can produce up to twice the

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rated line voltage for long cable runs. The longer Carrier Switching Frequencies (CSF) of 2.5
KHz is allowed by longer cable distances when the Carrier Switching Frequency can produce
audible noise at the motor. The manufacturers of Variable Speed Drives (VSD) usually after
du/dt filter that basically decrease the steepness of the pulses for application requiring long motor
cables whereas the sinus filter is recommended for very long cables or old motor is with
insufficient winding insulation . As the life of older motor is to be expected shorten therefore the
VFD should purchase as per the motor rated for applications.
Integrated Motor and Drives
A number of motor and drive manufactures are now producing integrated motor/VFD units.
These units consist of a motor and a specially designed VFD, produced as a single package, with
the VFD unit mounted on the variously on the top, side or end of the motor. Currently these
designs are available up to approximately 22 kW (30HP). Integrated motor and drives can
feature a number of advantages:-
1. Motor and VFD are properly matched.
2. Installed cost can be less than separate motor and VFD.
3. No special cables between VFD and motor, saving installation time and screened
cables.
4. Reduced over –voltage on the motor winding due to short length of connections,
leading to a longer life of insulation.
5. No output cables. Hence radiated emissions are minimized.
6. VFD shares motor cooling system.
7. Better compatibility between all components of the drive system, reduces noiseand
vibration.
8. Often easier and faster to retrofit in a building or industrial installation.

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VFD Display and keypad
The operating values of VFDs are being displayed in engineering / user units. The display shall
be given in English words i.e. no alphanumeric codes are acceptable.
1. Motor speed (RPM, Percent and Engineering units)
2. Motor current
3. Calculated motor torque
4. Calculated motor power (KW)
5. Output frequency
6. Output voltage
7. DC Bus voltage
A backlit LCD display included in the keypad. The following assistants shall use the keypads:-
1. Start – up assistants
2. Parameter assistants
3. Maintenance assistance
4. Trouble shooting assistance
The keypad shall be removal, capable remote mounting and shall be allow for uploading and
downloading of parameter settings. It also includes the hand off auto selection and speed control.
There is a fault reset and help button on the keypad. The help button shall include “On – line”
assistants for programming and trouble shooting.

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KW
CHAPTER 3
RELATION BETWEEN VFD AND POWER FACTOR
General
The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) basically contains capacitors which are present in DC bus
is used to maintain Power Factor on the line side. Therefore any additional use of other power
factor correction equipments on the line side supply to the motor or use of expensive capacitor
bank is not require. The Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) itself offer high power factor in the
line side supply to the motor.
Power Factor of an Electrical Network/Installation/Load is defined as the cosine of angle by
which the Apparent Power i.e. KVA is out of phase with respect to the Active Power i.e. KW. A
simple vector diagram is given below where Power Factor is equal to cosϕ (lagging).
KVAr KVA
Figure no. 3.1 Power Triangle
We know that Power Factor =Cosϕ
From the above diagram-
1. KVA = ƒ(KW)2 + (KVAr)2

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2. Cosϕ = KW/KVA
= KW/ƒ(KW)2 + (KVAr)2
3. KW = KVA × Cosϕ
4. Tanϕ = KVAr/KW
It is now clear that in order to reduce the flow of reactive the Power Factor will have to be
improved. At unity Power Factor (i.e. Cosϕ =1) the flow of reactive power is zero and is thus the
ideal condition.
Problems of Low Power Factor:-
Low Power causes a variety of problems which result in increase in losses and in efficient system
operation. The major problems that are created due to low power factor are elaborated below:-
Current Drawn
For a given Active Power i.e. KW requirement a low Power Factor will result in an increase in
the current drawn for the supply. The graph given on the next page gives the variation of
percentage increase in the current drawn on the Power Factor decreases.
It can be seen from the graph that, if the percentage increase in current drawn at unity Power
Factor is 0% of the rated current the corresponding percentage increase in current drawn at 0.5
Power Factor will be 100% i.e. twice the rated current will be drawn. This means that with low
Power Factor the transformers, switchgear, distribution cables, etc in the installation will have to
be over sized to carry this increased current. In addition to this the I2
R losses will increase
significantly due to low Power Factor.

29 / 40
Figure No. 3.2 Percentage increase in Current drawn
with increase in Power Factor
Cable Losses
As explained above improvement in Power Factor means reduction in the line current. For a
given cable the losses are proportional to the square of this current. Consequently by improving
Power Factor from an initial value of Cosϕ1 to the final value of Cosϕ2, the reduction in I2
R
losses is given by the expression: –
Percentage Saving in losses
= {1-(Cosϕ1/Cosϕ2)2
}×100
The graph given below shows the percentage saving in I2
R losses. We can see an improvement
in Cosϕ from 0.7 to 0.9 reduces losses by 40%
Percentage increases in currentdrawn
with increase in Power Factor
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
0.9 0.8 0.7
Cos
0.6 0.5
current
drawn

30 / 40
Figure No. 3.3 Percentage saving in losses with increase in power factor
.
Voltage Regulation
It is well known that when a transformer operates on load there is a voltage drop in the secondary
voltage in comparison to the no load secondary voltage. The regulation of percentage in a
transformer indicates this voltage drop. Improvement in Power Factor has a positive impact in
terms of reducing the voltage drop on secondary of a transformer and thereby improving it
regulation. The graph given below shows the variation of percentage regulation with Power
Factor. Consequently system efficiency is improved due to better voltage regulation.
Figure No. 3.4 Percentage increase in Voltage
Regulation with increase in Power Factor
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.5 0.6 0.7
Cosϕ (initial)
0.8 0.9 1
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6
PowerFactor
0.8 1 1.2
Percentage
Regulation
Percentage
saving
in
losses

31 / 40
Benefits of Power Factor Improvement
It is obvious that the improvement in Power Factor results in significant benefits to consumer
both in terms of system efficiency as well as cost savings.
The benefits of Power Factor improvement are summarized as follows:-
1. Reduction in Current Drawn.
2. Reduction in Cable Losses.
3. Reduction in Transformer Losses.
4. Improvement in Voltage Regulation.
5. Saving in KVA Demand charges.
6. Saving in Penalty.
7. Enhancement in the life of switch gear/cable etc.

32 / 40
CHAPTER 4
HARMONICS AND ITS EFFECT
Varible Frequency Drive and Harmonics Distortion
After discussing the advantages of Variable Frequency Drives there oftentimes give rise to a
question about the term of Harmonics. As the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) changes the
speed of standard AC induction motors by changing the voltage and frequency of the electricity
supplied to the motor. The conversion of AC to DC and again vice versa tends and then
electronically re-creating a waveform with a necessary voltage and frequency.
Through their internal own internal circuitry, namely the recreation of a sine wave through the
high speed switching, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are the source of harmonics. Some
simple harmonics filters upstream and downstream of the drive will provide suitable protection.
Harmonic Definition
Harmonics may be introduced into the electrical system due to the nonlinear characteristics of
some power loads and there operation. Harmonics components of current and voltage are
multiples of normal 60 Hz AC sine wave. These harmonics can cause motor, transformer and
conductor overheating, capacitor failure, malfunctioning of relays and control and reduce system
efficiencies.
Are Harmonics Harmful?
Harmonic currents may cause the overheating of the conductors and insulating materials due to
phenomenon known as skin effect. At lower frequency sinusoidal current will flow through the

33 / 40
entire cross section of a conductor. This provides the lowest conductor resistance and loss. At
frequency increases, current tends to flow more toward conductor’s surface and away from its
cross section. The conductor resistance and loss can increase substantially. In the case of phase
to neutral nonlinear loading and resultant third harmonic content, the 180 Hz current on neutral
conductor will exhibit this property.
Introduction to Harmonic Terms
Distortion
Dynamic range of op amp may define in several ways. One of the most common way to specify
harmonic distortion, total harmonics distortion (THD) or Total Harmonic plus noise (THD+N).
Other related specifications include Inter Modulation Distortion (IMD), Intercept Points (IP), etc.
Total Harmonic Distortion - THD
THD is the ratio of harmonically related (2×,3×,4×, and so on the fundamental frequency) signal
components caused by amplifier nonlinearity. Only the harmonically related signals are included
in the measurements. The distortion components which make up THD are usually calculated by
taking the square root of the sum of squares of the five or six harmonics of fundamental. In many
practical situations, however there is negligible error if only the second and third harmonics are
included since the higher order terms most often are greatly reduced in amplitude.
Total Harmonic Voltage Distortion - THD (V)
At the time of harmonics when the current flows through the resistance or reactance, a voltage
drop is developed and a voltage distortion of fundamental voltage waveform is caused by these
harmonics voltage. Thus the total magnitude of voltage distortion is called Total Harmonic
Voltage Distortion or THD (V).
The Total Harmonic Voltage Distortion THD (V)% = 100×ƒ(V3)2 + (V5)2 + (V7)2 + (Vn)2/ V1

34 / 40
Total Harmonic Current Distortion – THD (I)
The THD (I) is basically the ratio between the current harmonics and the fundamental current
which are calculate for that point of instant.. It is a harmonic current distortion waveform taken
from the specific movement at the time determining the values is calculated.
Thus the THD (I)% = 100×ƒ( I3)2 + ( I5)2 + ( I7)2 + ( In)2/ I1
Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise
THD + N is the residual signal with only fundamental removed. It is important to note that the
THD measurement does not include the noise terms, while THD + N does. The noise in the THD
+ N measurement must be integrated over the measurement bandwidth. In the narrow band
applications, the level of noise may reduced by filtering, in turn lowering the THD + N which
increasing the signal to noise ratio (SNR). Most times when a THD specification is quoted, it is
really THD +N specification. Thus THD +N given as:-
THD + N voltage = JV2
+ V2
+ V2
+ … + V2 + V2
/ Vs
2 3 4 n noise
Total Demand Distortion (TDD)
The Total Demand Distortion (TDD) is defined as the harmonics current distortion in percentage
of maximum demand load current. The maximum demand load current interval could be either
15 min or a 30 min interval.
Total Demand Distortion (TDD) = ƒI2
+ I2
+ I2
+ … + I2/ ILOAD
2 3 4 n
Where I2, I3, I4,…..In are the individual harmonic current components and ILOAD is the maximum
load current at the point of common coupling.

35 / 40
Harmonics Mitigating Techniques
Various techniques improving the input current waveform are discussed below. The intent of all
techniques is to make the input current more continuous so as reduce the overall current
harmonics distortion. The different techniques can be classified into following techniques
1. Passive Techniques
2. Active Techniques
3. Hybrid Technique – combination of passive and active Technique
Passive Technique
The passive techniques includes capacitor based harmonics filter, Multi pulse Technique and
additional of inductive impedance – line reactor or dc link chokes.
Line Reactors
A line reactor makes the current waveform less discontinuous resulting in lower current
harmonics. Since the reactor impedance increases with frequency, it offers larger impedance to
the flow of higher order harmonic current.
On knowing the input reactance value, the expected current harmonic distortion can be
estimated. Input reactance is determined by series combination of impedance of AC reactor,
input transformer and power cable.
Active Technique
The rectification technique which is basically developed by motor – drive manufacturers, do not
generate low order harmonics. These drives use active front ends. Instead of using diode as
rectifiers, the active front end ASDs makes use of active switch like IGBTs along with anti
parallel diode. In such active front – end rectifiers, power flow becomes bidirectional. The input
current can be wave shaped and made sinusoidal to have low value of low order harmonics.
Apart from active front end there also exists shunt active filter used for actively introducing a
current waveform into the ac network which when combined with harmonic current, results in an
almost perfect sinusoidal waveform.

36 / 40
Hybrid Technique
This technique is basically the combination of passive and active technique. In this type of
technique the hybrid filters have large bandwidth and good dynamic response. Control is
accomplished using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips. The hybrid structure also need
current and voltage sensors and corresponding analog to digital (A/D) converters.
Power line harmonics
Harmonics in the square wave inverter have two sources. At the input, the controlled rectifier
generates harmonics that produce electrical noise in the power system. These can be filtered, but
these reduce efficiency and the power factor, which is already low in controlled rectifier.
The output waveform also produces serious harmonics. The stair-step output waveform have
only odd harmonics. The third and ninth harmonics cause no problem, since they are in phase
and cancel at the input to the star connected motor. The rest of harmonics mainly the fifth and
seventh cause current that increase losses in the motor and produces no torque. These harmonics
are filtered some by inductance of the motor. The combinations of these problems have resulted
in the use of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) system. These systems use a more complicated
switching scheme.

37 / 40
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORK
After the detailed study of Variable Frequency Drive, it becomes possible to control the speed of
electric motor as well as to conserve the electrical energy, as we know that the energy
conservation has become an important subject to all over the world. Increase in efficient energy
use, decrease in energy consumption and/or consumption from conventional energy sources is
reduced that leads to the conservation of energy.
For high performance providing by the Variable Frequency Drive for maximum process
productivity always required a complex engineering consideration. However rapid improvements
in AC control technology combined with ready availability of standard fixed frequency of AC
motor have increased the number of possible solution. With the process of pulse width
modulation, the frequency given to the induction motor can be set in order to control the speed of
the induction motor. Thus the consumption of electrical energy is depends on the load
requirement. However the variation of frequency leads to the harmonics distortion which can be
mitigate by several techniques of harmonics mitigation.
The elimination techniques of harmonics are generally applied to lowest harmonic because as the
filtering is more practical at higher harmonics, the filtering component can be smaller and less
expensive. Also application of several multilevel inverters provides another approach to
harmonics cancellation. For the mitigation of harmonics from the circuit of the inverter
application of active filters are required into the circuit such as Band Pass Active Filter.
Basically Band Pass Filter can be applied in this circuit as a future reference of this dissertation.
A Band Pass Filter is a electronic device or circuit that allow to pass signals between two
specific frequencies but discriminates against the signal at other frequencies.

38 / 40
Figure No. 5.1 Circuit diagram of Band Pass Filter
At last the conservation of energy may result in increase in financial, capital, environment
quality, national security, personal security and human comfort. The individual and commercial
user can increase energy use efficiency to maximum profit which leads to help for the individual
and organization that are direct consumer of energy security.

39 / 40
REFERENCES
Website
1. www.mathworks.in (© 1994 – 2013 The Mathworks, Inc.), “Simulate VariableSpeed
Motor Control – MATLAB and Simulink – Mathworks India,”
www.mathworks.in/help/physmod/powersys/ug/simulating-variable-speed-motor-
control.html
2. memberfiles.freewebs.com (© 2003 IEEE), “Simulink Implementation ofInduction
Machine Model – A Modullar Approach,” by Burak Ozpineci and Leon M.Tolbert
.
3. www.freewebs.com, “Simulation of Half Wave and Full Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier
Circuits,” Belwin_BEEE Lab Manual EE101.
4. www.ece.ualberta.ca (© Andy Knight), “Diode Bridge Simulation,” VariableSpeed
Drive : Simulation Example,
www.ece.ualberta.ca/~knight/variable_speed_drives/ssim/config/sim.html
5. http://en.wikipedia.org, “Variable Frequency Drive,”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive
6. http://www.google.co.in , “ Variable Frequency Drive,”
http://www.google.co.in/search?q=variable%20frequency%20drive

variable frequency drive and its energy saving by MD FARYAD ALAM

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