Variable Frequency AC Drives

In today's age, where up time and low mean time between failures are critical in today's manufacturing environment, an area where review might be necessary is on all your current Variable Frequency AC Drives.

If your systems are critical to your companies performance, then a drive that fails without the fast ability to switch to direct AC line power means increased down time and lower profits.  Here is a way to cure that potential pitfall. 

These packaged systems work with any manufacturer's drive!   Starter control starts the motor and provides motor overload protection when the bypass is in the "LINE" position.  Here are some details on the system:

Starter Control with Motor Overload starts the motor and provides motor overload protection when the IBYSS® is in the "LINE" position.  

The Motor Overload Protection is provided by a UL Listed Class 10 Overload. Line Start and Line Stop pushbuttons are provided in the enclosure door.  

A Control Circuit Transformer with 120 volt fused secondary is provided for control power. All field wiring connects to factory installed Terminal Strip.  

Inverters provide an economical means of regulating the speed and performance of motors. Inverters have gained a prominent place in today’s industrial and commercial arena. But as dependable as modern inverters are, they still malfunction and cease operation, generally at the worst possible moment.

For this reason, several methods of isolating the inverter have been developed. Until now these methods involved expensive and unreliable contactors, relays, and timers.

Advance Controls' Patented IBYSS ® (Inverter Bypass Safety Switch) eliminates all of these unreliable methods of removing the power from the inverter drive.   The IBYSS ® is a manually operated "Positive Break" switch. It does not rely on relays, contactors, or timers; all of which can burn out and stop the application from running. The "Positive Break" feature mechanically ramps the contacts open. The IBYSS ® does not use springs (as used in contactors and relays) to open the contacts.

Should the inverter malfunction, the IBYSS ® is manually switched from the “DRIVE” to the “LINE” position. This redirects power around the inverter straight to the motor and completely removes all power from the inverter. This provides total isolation of the inverter from both the incoming power line and the outgoing line to the motor. Since the power to the inverter is completely cut off, the inverter can be serviced or even removed, while the application is operating at full speed / full power.

The IBYSS ® is the answer for a low cost, direct acting, straight forward and reliable means of providing an inverter bypass and total isolation of the inverter during a malfunction while still providing full power directly to the application. The IBYSS ® is also furnished with a "TEST" position. This "TEST" position allows power into the inverter for setup and diagnostics, but does not allow power to the application. The "TEST" position simplifies the installation and maintenance of the inverter.

All IBYSS ® can be customized for specific applications. Enclosures, switching patterns, connections, etc. can be customized to meet unique needs.

Operation

• “Drive” (Normal) Position Incoming Power is routed through the Inverter Bypass Safety Switch to the inverter drive, from the inverter drive back through the switch and then to the application.
• “Off” Position Incoming Power is stopped at the Inverter Bypass Safety Switch. No power is routed to either the inverter drive or to the application.
• “Line” (Bypass) Position Incoming Power is routed through the Inverter Bypass Safety Switch directly to the application (motor). In the "bypass" position, no power is routed to the inverter drive from either the incoming power line to the switch or from the outgoing power line to the application. In the "bypass" position, power is completely removed from the inverter drive. The application continues receiving full - direct power.
• “Test” Position Incoming Power is routed through the Inverter Bypass Safety Switch to the Inverter Drive. No power is allowed from the switch to the application. The "TEST" position allows calibration, adjustments and diagnostics to be performed on the inverter drive without allowing the power to flow on to the application. This position allows easy setup for the inverter drive.

We have standard designs offered on our website, if you have needs that don't seem to be listed on our site please contact us as we can work with you on your requirements to find the package to fit your needs.  If you have a need for a Variable Frequency Drive and a 3 contactor bypass in a single enclosure our facility can provide that value added option for little investment. 

Contact Marshall Wolf Automation at 847-658-8130 or contact us via email at sales@wolfautomation.com, or our website, www.wolfautomation.com and we can help determine your inverter by pass needs.
 

If you're a regular follower of 'My Automation Education' you know that last week we talked a little bit about Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). We are going to dive a little deeper into AC drives with this post: focusing on the basics of how to select one.

After establishing that you have an electric motor, you need to determine your motor's horse power. Next, the input (voltage/amperage) to the motor needs to be established. In addition, you need to know if the input is single or three-phase power. Lastly, things like the application of the device will determine what type of housing the drive may need to be in  (NEMA 1, NEMA 4X, etc...).

These are just the basics of determining which drive is correct for your application. If you still are not sure call one of the fantastic technical team members we have here at Marshall Wolf Automation. As a stocking distributor of AC Tech, Fuji, Hitachi, and Delta drives, Marshall Wolf Automation should be at the top of your list for all your industrial automation needs.

Tune in down the road for future chapters in 'My Automation Education'. Here is some basic information on NEMA ratings as well:

NEMA Ratings for Variable Frequency Drives:
NEMA 1: for indoor installation in a relatively clean environment,
provides limited protection against falling dirt.

NEMA 12: for indoor installation, provides protection against circulating dust,
falling dirt and dripping, non-corrosive liquids.

NEMA 4: for indoor installation, provides protection against windblown dust and rain,
splashing water, hose-directed water and damage from external ice formation.

NEMA 4X for indoor installation: NEMA 4 protection (see above) plus
protection against corrosive or caustic agents.

NEMA 4X for indoor/outdoor installation: NEMA 4 protection (above) plus
protection against corrosive or caustic agents.

 

Thomas Robbins of Lenze Americas has a great new article titled 'Feed your VFD with the Right Power'.

The article explains different precautions and tips you should use when installing variable frequency drives. Precautions involving wiring, isolation, grounding and shielding which are relevant to all VFD applications!

A few highlights include a bulleted list of 'practical installation tips' when installing variable frequency drives and also a list of 'approaches that spell trouble' (hopefully you don't see these in your application!).

Marshall Wolf Automation is your authorized industrial automation distributor for the full line of AC Tech Lenze high performance AC drives.

Read the entire article here!

Search all of our AC Tech Lenze drives here!

Our Delta AFE series is an active front end that is a controllable rectifier with a number of advantages:

• Replace traditional braking resistors with energy generation
• Provides bidirectional power exchange between AC and DC power
• Regenerating reusable power to the mains to reduce the cost of power
• Uses PWM modulation to greatly reduce distinctive peaks of current
• Eliminates high order harmonics
• The Delta AFE (active front end) offers stable power quality that is unaffected from mains power fluctuations!
• Clear energy savings with more than 95% of regenerative energy converted and supplied back to the mains!
   

Marshall Wolf Automation is your authorized industrial automation distributor for the complete line of Delta variable frequency drives, AC to DC switching power supplies, programmable logic controllers and much more!

View all of our Delta Industrial Automation products now!

Lenze announced today that, due to limited availability and extreme lead times, they are discontinuing the Lenze MAS motor product lines and associated cable effective immediately.

Lenze is recommending that customers currently using the Lenze MAS series switch to the Lenze MCS motor line.

Marshall Wolf Automation is your authorized industrial automation distributor for the full line of Lenze AC Tech variable frequency drives, servo motors and drives and much more.

To learn more about the switch from Lenze MAS to MCS click here.

I received a call the other day regarding a customer setting up his newly purchased TECO Westinghouse brand of a high performance AC drive.  As he was finishing wiring from the motor back to the output side of the drive and had a question in his mind. 

He asked if it was important to wire his ground wire back to the drive because he already had a ground from the motor to his machine frame. 

My answer is grounding is one of your variable frequency drives best friends.

In addition, a grounding conductor must be brought back from the motor to the VFD's internal grounding terminal. This direct motor ground to the VFD is required to minimize interference and for the ground-fault protection function of the drive to operate properly. 

In other words, please don't take the short cut route and just ground from the motor to a panel but to the PE terminal on the output side of the the drive. 

While we are discussing grounding, a couple of other quick points to remember:

1)  If your application has the motor operating at reduced speeds it will also have reduced cooling; as a result, it may fail due to thermal breakdown of the motor windings insulation. Thus, the optimum protection for a motor is thermal sensing of the motor windings. This sensing is then interlocked with the VFD's control circuit. This is highly recommended for any motor that is to be operated for extended periods of time at low speeds, just a little tip to help obtain maximum life of the motor. 

2)  Altitude affects the heat dissipation capability of the heat sink and units in locations at 3300 ft (1000 m) above sea level must be derated. A common rule of thumb is a 2% derating for every 1000 ft above the 3300 ft altitude level.

When you need a high performance AC drive, consider Wolf Automation as your Industrial Supply Distributor for AC Freqency drives, we carry 9 different brands of drives to assist in all your application needs.  Contact us at 800-325-9653 or check us out at www.wolfautomation.com contact us we can help!

'My Automation Education' continues with variable-frequency drives. These are pretty important parts of an automated system. They are what allows an automated process to be paced and not running wide-open all day.

A variable-frequency drive (VFD) is a system for controlling the speed of a rotational or linear alternating current (AC) electric motor by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor. Variable-frequency drives are used in a wide number of applications to control pumps, fans, hoists, conveyors, and other machinery.

I like to think of motors as the brawn in an automated system, and a drive as the brains. Let's try exploring this analogy a little further:

Pretend you are a farmer in the 1800s trying to plow your new plot in the beautiful heartland. You have to plow your entire field in one day. Your oxen will pull with all their might and have little direction or control, leaving you with a pretty worthless field because it will be crooked, uneven and probably just torn up. Without you - the drive - to regulate their effort and direction, the task is a failure.

Another analogy for a VFD would be the tortoise and the hare. Without a VFD the motor is going to be the hare and run itself at full power until it just has no more to give. A variable-frequency drive allows a motor to be both tortoise and hare, slow and consistent production with the ability for bursts if needed.

Marshall Wolf Automation, your number one industrial automation distributor, carries a wide variety of VFDs to meet any need you may have. We offer AC Tech Lenze and TECO Westinghouse drives, plus many more. If you want to rein in your oxen or turn your hare into a distance runner check out our website.

It's easy to think each of our vendors only carry one line of product.

Actually, it's easy for you to think we only carry one product... the one you buy.

Delta Industrial Automation is a perfect example of a supplier that is much more than just variable frequency drives (or maybe you buy their AC to DC switching power supplies)?

Here is what you can find on www.WolfAutomation.com just for our vendor, Delta:

AC drives - a full offering of high performance AC drives

Communication modules - you might not even realize that we carry a full line of communication modules (we are also an Advantech distributor). Ethernet, DeviceNet, RS-485, we carry a full line of communication modules and converters.

Industrial operator interfaces (HMI's) - Delta has a great line of cost-effective industrial operator interfaces, their series DOP-B.

Industrial power supplies - our Delta DVP and PMC series are among our most popular VDC output power supplies! Starting at less than $20, take a look.

This is just the beginning! Delta also carries an extensive line of programmable logic controllers (PLC's), temperature controllers and combination timer, counter and tachometer!

Search all of our Delta Industrial Automation products here!

Question:

Thank you for your time and I hope to order from you very soon.

Are you currently using Delta Industrial Automation power supplies? If not, click here. You will find a complete offering of extremely competitive power supplies.

Even better? Most ship same day, right out of our warehouse.

DeltaPSU (the Delta switching power supply division) has announced the launch of their free iPhone app for their 2012 catalog.

You can browse their full offering of power supplies without lugging around catalogs and brochures.

Simply search DeltaPSU to download the free application from the App Store.

The new app offers a search and browse function by products or entering keywords. You can also view individual AC to DC switching power supply part numbers simply by inputting the part number.

Marshall Wolf Automation is your authorized industrial automation distributor for the complete line of Delta Industrial Automation industrial DC power supplies, variable frequency drives, communication modules and more!

Search all of our Delta products now!

 Question:  I have a single phase, 120volt AC motor and I need a variable speed frequency drive, can you get me one?

Answer:  “No drive for you!”  But don’t fear!  Even though a drive like that doesn’t exist, Marshall Wolf Automation has a solution to control the motor through voltage control via a DART brand controller.  These nice little speed controllers will control your single phase motors in either 120v or 240v. 

All models feature single-phase AC input and fully variable AC output. The enclosed version comes with a rugged housing, power on/off switch, power on indicator lamp, front access fuse, as well as convenient input and output cords and plugs.

The heart of the control is a triac fired in a manner to adjust phase and thereby vary speed.  The Dart Controls 55 Series is designed to work with shaded pole, permanent split capacitor, universal motors or any resistive load. It is not designed for capacitor start motors.

• Variable AC voltage supply
• Available in 120VAC single phase input or 240VAC single phase input
• Choose chassis style or enclosed
• Enclosed version comes with rugged housing, power on/off switch, power on indicator lamp, front access fuse and convenient input/output cords and plugs
• All models feature single phase AC input and fully variable AC output
• Temperature ...-10° to +45° C.
• AC Input Voltage ...±10% Rated Line Voltage
• Input Frequency ... 50/60 Hz.
• Designed to work with shaded pole, permanent split capacitor, permanent split-phase, universal motors or any resistive load
• Great for fan, pump, heating, lighting and vibratory feeder industries

Contact Marshall Wolf Automation through…   sales@wolfautomation.com.

Our website is www.wolfautomation.com.

Lenze AC Tech has announced a price increase effective May 1, 2012.

This means it is time to stock up at current price levels! Shop all AC Tech Lenze drives now.

The good news is the popular AC Tech SMVector series is not affected by the price increase.

Marshall Wolf Automation is the only source you need for variable frequency drives! We are authorized stocking distributors for all the big names - AC Tech Lenze, Hitachi, Fuji Electric, TECO Westinghouse, Delta and more.

Does your application require NEMA 3R enclosures? 

NEMA 3R enclosures are commonly required in outdoor applications including center pivot irrigation systems.

Not only can Marshall Wolf Automation supply you with a great price on a Saginaw enclosure, we can fill the panel for you as well!

Our system integration team can work with you to design an enclosed drive panel/pump panel specifically for your requirements.

We are authorized industrial automation distributors for the top brands of variable frequency drives including AC Tech Lenze, Hitachi, Fuji Electric, TECO-Westinghouse and Delta.

Learn more about our NEMA 3R enclosures and enclosed drive panels now!

What does NEMA 3R mean?

NEMA 3R electrical enclosures are typically used in outdoor applications for wiring and junction boxes. This style of weatherproof enclosure provides protection against falling rain, sleet, snow, and external ice formation. Indoors they protect against dripping water. 

I recently had a customer contact me saying his lathe started dancing around the shop...  I sincerely hope you haven't had a similar experience but I thought I would share his story.

Answer:

Marshall Wolf Automation not only has a large inventory of high performance AC drives ready for same day shipping, we also have an in-house technical department to help you figure out which drive would be best for you.

We are authorized industrial automation distributors for AC Tech Lenze, Hitachi, TECO Westinghouse, Fuji Electric and Delta, among others.

View all of our variable frequency drives now!

Is it really an age old question? Well no, but it is a legitimate question. 

How would you like a outdoor pump panel using a High Performance AC Drive pre-engineered ship to you ready to install? 

Call Marshall Wolf Automation, we can help.  When you need a pump panel for your irrigation pump, booster pump or even portable booster pump, we can be your one stop solution.  

The system is comprised of a outdoor rated NEMA 3R style vented panel with fans, CFM's are dependent upon cabinet size. 

We then work with you to select the appropriate High Performance AC Drive, we have 8 different lines to select from for the application, such as; AC Tech Lenze, Delta Industrial Automation, Fuji Electric AC Drive, Gefran, Hitachi Drive, TECO Westinghouse, U.S. Drives and WEG.  Inclusive are thermostatically controlled fan(s) and a control transformer. 

Dependent upon your needs we can add appropriately sized disconnect switch, line or load reactors and winter heater kits.  These pre-engineered panels come ready to install! We can also offer additional options: 3 contactor by pass option, HOA option among many others.  Call us today to discuss a Variable Frequency AC drive panel for your Industrial Electric Motors!

Marshall Wolf Automation can help!

Lenze America's has recently launched their OVERDRIVE program - basically saying they have increased their stock levels and so have we!

If you need AC Tech drives shipped out same day, we are the only distributor you need.

Not only does Marshall Wolf Automation keep a large inventory, we also work closely with AC Tech Lenze to make sure we get the drives you need when you need them.

We also have in-house technical support to help you choose the best high performance AC drive for your application. Do you need an industrial electric motor as well? We can help.

Marshall Wolf Automation is your industrial automation distributor for everything from soft starters, motors and variable frequency drives to industrial light towers, AC to DC switching power supplies and laser distance measurement sensors.

Search all of our products now!