A Variable Frequency Drive, or VFD, is a motor controller. The primary purpose of this controller is to control an electric motor by varying both the voltage and frequency of the power supply. These controllers can also control ramp-up at the motor start and the motor stop.
Variable frequency drives help improve productivity and efficiency in manufacturing and other industries. However, with the times, they may not perform at their best capabilities. To avoid this from occurring, it is necessary to implement some necessary maintenance steps to the VFD. So, our blog will cover the top maintenance tips for VFDs along with providing some troubleshooting tips. Read on to know these.
- Regular Cleaning
It is one of the most useful maintenance tips. Usually, industrial and commercial areas have a lot of airborne dust and debris that might accumulate over a VFD and influence its functionality. Therefore, to avoid this, regular cleaning can be done through wiping, cleaning, and air spraying.
- Temperature Maintenance
It is necessary to stick for optimum VFD maintenance to keep their temperature, since these are mainly used in tight spaces where temperature spikes are usual. In addition, proper air circulation must be secured in order to keep the appropriate temperature. Temperature control systems should also be installed.
- Regular Visual Inspections
Another essential step is to do visual inspections. Operators who have basic knowledge of these controllers should inspect them weekly to find out any faults. During inspection, check cooling systems, fiber optic cables, connections, etc.
- Prevent Moisture Penetration
Water and electricity are not good for variable-frequency drives. Hence, they should not come in contact with moisture as it will lead to multiple problems like equipment failures, corrosion, and erratic behaviors. You should try to keep VFDs as dry as possible.
- Intact Connections
With the time, electrical connections might get loose due to vibrations. Ultimately, loose connections will result in uneven operations of the controller. This makes it even more important to check connections regularly.
Variable Frequency Drives Troubleshooting
Even, if you follow all maintenance tips, a breakdown may happen. There are many reasons for breakdowns and this influences overall operations in your business. Below are some simple steps that can help you troubleshoot these.
- Check Diagnostics Display
Top-tier advanced VFDs often include built-in troubleshooting functions from the best manufacturers. If you have a display module on your VFD, it’s worthwhile taking a look at it to check if anything indicates what the issue is (like irregular voltage, overheating, or a blown fuse). Most of the small issues with these devices can be resolved this way. - Resonance Testing
The vibrations caused while working on equipment lead to stress on it that impacts welds, loosens bolts, and causes many issues. Therefore, check whether VFD is having any issues because of resonance.
Conclusion
With the right maintenance and troubleshooting tips you can keep your operations running. Also, you can follow the VFD troubleshooting flowchart. And if you are looking for superior quality Variable Frequency Drives single phase to 3 phase, there is no one better than Shenzhen Veikong Electric Co.,Ltd. They have a professional team with over 20 years of experience.