Variable Frequency Drive- Benefits of Using it

Motors that are used to power various applications are capable of providing you with uniform speed. It doesn't matter what type of application you are using; these motors will serve your purpose. If you are using AC motors, you will save a considerable amount of money using a variable frequency drive. With the help of this device, you can control the speed of the motor according to your necessity. Plus, it will enhance the smoothness and efficiency of the process as the application will run according to your demands. Here we will mention all the benefits that VFD has to provide.

1. You will get proper electrical control: One of the best parts of using variable frequency drives is that it will provide you with proper electrical control. You can control the speed according to the necessity of the application. For instance, you can increase and decrease the speed of the motor. Besides, you can sustain the momentum and halt it whenever you need. To be precise, it will enhance the efficiency of the application.
2. You can control the starting current: If your AC motor is going on a full-throttle, you will need eight times the current to start the motor and the load. However, if you have a variable frequency drive, you will control the starting speed. To be specific, you will need a lower starting current compared to the conventional times. In the case of all the mechanisms that use this power, you have to monitor them. The speed controller that you are using should be up to the mark. It would be best if you didn't compromise with the quality of variable frequency drives.
3. It will reduce your energy costs: Now it is one of the imperative benefits that you will come across by using variable frequency drives. We already mentioned that this tool would allow you to control the speed according to your necessity. Instead of uniform or arbitrary rates, you can provide precise control of your speed. Numerous studies have stated that variable frequency drives will help you save energy costs by almost 70%. Also, it will help you to get rid of multiple additional mechanical components. You can save a significant amount of space with the help of variable frequency drives and save some of your maintenance costs.
4. Hoist life will increase: Some of the variable frequency drives will provide you with over current and thermal overload protection. It will increase the life of the hoist motor. Besides, it uses the ramp-down-to-stop method of braking instead of using the brake shoes to slow down the speed. The only purposes of the brake are parking or stopping the hoist during emergencies. It will prolong the brake's life.
5. It will increase efficiency: A VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) will not consume more than the required power. Therefore compared to the soft starters and contractors, it will help you to save some energy.
6. You will enjoy regenerative energy: Lowering the hoist and deceleration is responsible for creating regenerative energy, which the motor is producing. You can transform this energy into heat by using a braking resistor. After that, you can send it back to the source, which will ensure the saving of energy. An AC regenerative drive will be responsible for the redistribution of energy. That energy would have been wasted if there was no variable frequency drive in the application.
7. You can modify the speed: With a variable frequency drive, you can maximize the number of applications. Apart from that, you can alter the process whenever you want. Based on the application's demand, you can make some adjustments as well, such as:
   • You can start at a lower speed if you wish. To be precise, you don't have to stay confined to a specific rate.
   • You can control the speed remotely with the help of a remote controller.
8. Adjusting the torque limit is possible: Throughout the process, you can control the limit of your torque precisely with the help of a variable frequency drive. In this way, you can protect your products as well as machinery. Or else, there is a possibility that the motor will exceed its threshold. For machines and tools, you only need moderate rotational power, which you can achieve with the help of a variable frequency drive. Consequently, it will play a pivotal role in saving your energy by holding back the excess power required to achieve excessive speed. It will make you waste some energy.
9. Controlled stopping will be easier: Sometimes your goods may get ruined due to mechanical deterioration and rupture due to sudden shocks and disruptions. During those times, a variable frequency drive will help you to stay away from these issues. In this way, you can protect yourself from unwanted product loss from untimely impacts. Otherwise, it would have damaged your products or other mechanical tools.

So you can comprehend that a variable frequency drive is an essential tool if you are dealing with cranes or hoists. It will help you to enjoy numerous benefits which will enhance the frequency of your application. In addition, you will end up saving considerable power. But you have to be precise when it comes to choosing the right VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) for your crane. There are two types of variable frequency drives. The first one is crane-specific VFD, and the second one is the General Purpose VFD. Amongst them, you have to pick the one that goes best with your crane.

If you want it to take our recommendation, we suggest you go for the crane-specific VFD instead of a general-purpose VFD. It is always a fruitful option for the productivity, safety, and uptime of your crane application. Besides, it will help you to conduct your application quickly and easily. It is because the makers design them to be compatible with your unique needs and various situations that arise during the application.

You have to understand that a fan, a conveyor, or a pump are different from a crane. Therefore, it is a wise decision to use crane-specific VFD. The forces of Inertia and gravity will play a different role in the case of crane application. So, using a crane-specific VFD will ensure the system's safety and provide you with a seamless setup. Here are all the features and you should know about crane-specific VFD.

Built-in safety features

Crane-specific VFD comes with various safety features, which are best compatible with type lifting applications. So, the built-in features that you will get in the crane specific VFD are:

• It will check brake integrity at the beginning and end of every lift: It is one of the significant features that you will get in a crane-specific VFD. This feature aims to avoid the falling of load to the ground due to brake failure. If the VFD detects that the brake has failed or slipping, it will hold the load electrically. Besides, it will also alert the operator so that he or she can take the required step as soon as possible.

• Avoids the unsafe use of the crane: Crane-specific VFD is capable of overseeing the actions of the operator. Therefore it will take all the steps to avoid the unsafe use of cranes. For instance, you can set the travel limit of the crane to avoid any unwanted collision. Otherwise, it may collide with the hooks or the wall. It also comes with an anti-shock feature. It will protect the crane from the operator's shock loading. Plus, it has a slack cable that safeguards the crane from excessive rope unwrap. If there is no load cell, it will be hard for you to fathom whether the load exceeds its limit or not.

• It checks the electrical integrity throughout the loading application.: Performance and health of the power supply and motor are some of the substantial parts of the loading applications. Well, a crane-specific VFD will monitor the health of the motor and the power supply. VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) is aware of its limit, and for that reason, it will avoid overheating and overloading. In case the line power sags, loses phase, or creates excessive ripples, VFD will stop.

These are unsafe situations, and the purpose of a variable frequency drive is to avoid the operations. Otherwise, it may attract some unwanted accidents in the facility.

Speciality features ensure the productivity of the cranes.

These VFDs come with special features that you will not find in any other VFDs. Due to these features, it will be easier for the operators to operate the crane. Besides, there will be no issues with safety. The overall productivity of your lifting operations will increase significantly. For instance, you can control the speed of your lifting vehicle with the help of a switch. Hence it will improve your cycle time and provide you with accuracy when it comes to the positioning of the crane. The best part is, the operator doesn't have to give much effort to operate the crane. They also have motion capabilities, which will lift your productivity and capability of the crane.

Your uptime will increase.

The development of crane-specific VFD goes around the information that is significant to the operators. They provide diagnostic information that is imperative for the critical applications for cranes. Besides, you have to keep in mind that cranes are not easily accessible. In case of troubleshooting, you may have to take out the crane from the production site. During those times, a crane-specific VFD will help you a lot.

Crane-specific VFDs are best compatible with lifting applications.

If you take a look at general-purpose VFD, you will understand that they are a bit complicated. Therefore, if you use it for lifting applications, it is possible to take a lot of your time. Therefore, a crane-specific VFD is always the best choice as it is easy to set up and win.

So, these are why we suggest you opt for crane-specific VFD and not for general-purpose VFD. It is beneficial from all aspects. The overall productivity of your application will increase if you start using a crane-specific VFD (Variable Frequency Drive).