At the last technology evening Eric Carter from turboTRAIN hosted and gave a presentation on ‘Avoiding pitfalls with variable speed drives’ on the premise that “If I understand it, I can work with it”.
Ann de Beer presents Eric Carter with the SAIMC presenter’s certificate.
Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) control the speed of machinery. Many industrial processes, such as assembly lines, must operate at different speeds for different products. Where process conditions demand adjustment of the flow from a pump, fan or conveyor belt, varying the speed of the drive may save energy or have more precise control as compared with other techniques. Although VSDs are promoted as a perfect solution with some wonderful advantages, they do also have drawbacks such as low speed torque, response to sudden load changes and low speed cooling.
Other topics covered by Eric included:
• Achieving vector control with encoder or via sensorless
• Control loops for DC motors
• Supply-side problems
• Notching
• Harmonics
• Pulse width modulation
• Effect of inductors
• Maximum cable lengths with reactors
• Switching pulse overshoot
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
• Motor braking (dynamic and DC injection)
• Unexpected VSD trips
Understanding the cause of these problems can help mitigate the problems and move towards providing solutions. The SAIMC would like to thank Eric Carter for his informative and well received presentation.
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO: Understanding the Engineering Profession Act SAIMC
SAIMC
For a full and detailed explanation of whether you are doing engineering work, I recommend visiting the ECSA website and looking up the IoEW Gazette. Meanwhile, here’s a simplified breakdown to get you started and hopefully encourage you to explore further.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The local Johannesburg Branch of the SAIMC recently hosted a Technology Evening at Bryanston Sports Club on 9 April 2025.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The April technology meeting for the Durban branch of the SAIMC was kindly sponsored by ProRisk, a subsidiary company of the Proconics Group of Companies. Process safety engineer, Guillaume de Swardt gave a fascinating presentation on the power of operational risk control by utilising CFD software.
Read more...SAIMC User Advisory Council KS4I event SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
The SAIMC User Advisory Council started 2025 with its first event in the ‘Knowlege Sharing 4 Industry’ event series on the 19th of March.
Read more...Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry
SAIMC
In proud partnership with Innomotics, SAIMC will be hosting the first Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry event for 2025.
Read more...Getting your OT data into the cloud – the why and the how
SAIMC
As users recognise the benefits of a digital transformation strategy for their industrial plants and systems and start to adopt it, they soon face the challenge of getting operational technology data securely and reliably to a cloud service provider of their choice.
Read more...SAIMC training at AATF 2025 empowers engineers to register, comply and advance SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
SAIMC
The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will deliver a powerful series of training sessions and technical workshops during the Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) 2025, providing engineers, technologists and technicians with the tools they need to register professionally, stay compliant, and lead industrial innovation.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg March technology event was hosted by Comtest, the Fluke agent in southern Africa. The topic was Renewable Energy Resources.
printer friendly version