Motion Control & Drives


Variable speed drive solutions from Danfoss

December 2015 Motion Control & Drives

Danfoss offers a range of energy efficient products designed to enhance food preservation, care for the environment, improve comfort and optimise productivity. This includes the VLT drives range, which provides fully automated operation and substantial energy savings in diverse applications.

“VLT drives ensure easy and efficient control of any application powered by an AC motor. These applications include a fan, pump, compressor, centrifuge or hoist,” says Mick Baugh, electronics sales manager, Bearing Man Group. “What sets these drives apart is that they require less energy when idle or operating with partial loads.”

The drives, which have a customised programming facility, enable the user to increase automation capabilities. With this modular system – which encompasses specific power ratings, enclosure classes and fieldbus protocols – each plant can determine what parameters are essential to meet specific requirements. Included in the portfolio are new lift drives designed for quiet, comfortable and stable elevator operation.

Practical examples

The modular Danfoss VLT lift drive LD 302, with optimised software to control the motor, was installed in an existing lift system and cabin. The new components resulted in faster, more comfortable and energy efficient daily operation. This system has also reduced the operating noise levels of the elevator.

A new range of VLT line filters, which reduces line current by up to 40%, has also been launched to the local market. Line filters MCC 107 improve overall reliability of the system, by combining harmonic and EMC filters.

By reducing the voltage ripple on the DC link, drive performance is enhanced, service life is extended and operational and maintenance costs are significantly reduced. These filters also reduce the RMS value of line current, which means higher true power-factor (PF). Typically, line current can be reduced by 40% and the PF can improve from 0,4 to 0,7 for single-phase drives and from 0,47 to 0,9 for three-phase drives.

These line filters ensure compliance with EN55011 Class A1 for up to 50 m of motor cable and Class B up to 10 m of motor cable. This means the VLT micro drive and VLT line filters have outstanding EMC performance in the micro-inverter class, even with relatively long motor cables.

These line filters, with high immunity against grid disturbances, also reduce the harmonic current drawn from the grid. Another advantage is one line filter can be used for filtering several small micro drives.

The VLT Flexconcept provides system manufacturers and end-users with fully integrated drive solutions to reduce running costs and maximise efficiency. The matched design of drive components has been designed for optimum energy efficiency to exceed current and projected EU motor efficiency standards in new, retrofit or modernised systems.

This system, with fewer variants than conventional systems, simplifies project planning, installation, commissioning and maintenance, which is especially important in conveyor applications.

Danfoss was recently presented with a “Special Automation Ecohitech Award” in Italy, in the ‘components, technologies and systems’ category. In the motivation for this award, the judges emphasised the balance between business productivity and environmental impact made possible by integrating mechanical components and advanced electronics.

By optimising motors, gear units and frequency converters, it is now possible to reduce power consumption by up to 30%. The design of the Danfoss solution, which has been developed according to strict industry hygiene regulations, also meets the requirements of system eco-compatibility.

For more information contact Mick Baugh, Bearing Man Group, +27 (0)11 620 1538, [email protected], www.bmgworld.net



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