Required Drive Features
The drive can control the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the motor and load. These features control the amount of time the drive takes to increase or decrease the output during speed control.
Requires: A drive with programmable times sufficient for the application.
Each application has specific requirements for I/O. Analog I/O is generally used to read process signals and output signals proportional to drive status. Analog I/O is generally Voltage (0-10V) or Current (0(4)-20mA). The type and number required by the application must match the drive.
Requires: A drive with sufficient number and type of analog I/O.
Applications that involve multiple drives or drives controlled by PLC or other supervisory device often require communications via a defined network.
Requires: A drive that has a standard or optional connection to the desired network.
Some applications have mechanical resonance points that cause the mechanics (shafts, belts, etc.) to oscillate. These oscillations can rapidly cause mechanical failure.
Requires: A drive that, through programming, can assure that these critical speeds are 'skipped' over and avoided.
Long Motor Cable Length
Motors are rated by the manufacturer for the voltage resistance of the insulation system. If this insulation system voltage is too low, voltage reflection from the drive could cause motor failure. This is particularly important if the motor is a long distance from the drive and if the motor is an older motor being retained for the application.
Requires: A drive that has the lowest dv/dt or long cable mode of operation.
Overload Torque
Applications may require varying degrees of overload capacity for starting, accelerating, or intermittent duty. This overload capacity must be supplied by the drive as current and by the motor as torque.
Requires: A drive that has sufficient overload capacity.
PID Loop
An internal function provides closed loop process control with proportional, integral and derivative (PID) control. The PID function reads an analog input to the drive and compares it to a desired setpoint. The PID loop adjusts the drive output frequency (and therefore the process) to make the input value equal the setpoint.
Requires: A drive with one or more internal PID loops to eliminate the need for external hardware.
Power Loss Ride-Through
Applications that control a continuous process cannot afford to stop because of short power outages or dips. The process must continue to run through these outages, typically 2 to 3 cycles long.
Requires: A drive that has sufficient power loss ride-through capability.
Speed Range (10:1)
All applications operate over a given speed range, defined as the ratio of maximum continuous speed to minimum continuous speed.
Requires: A drive that can produce the needed torque and speed torque regulation (accuracy) over the required speed range.
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