Troubleshooting Motor Controls, PLCs, VFDs, & Motors

Scope
This 4-hour lecture course is designed to provide a review of proper industrial design practices related to Variable Frequency Drives and AC Induction.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:

Understand the internal construction of a typical Variable Frequency Drive.
Determine the proper settings for the various parameters with a digital Variable Frequency Drive.
Using the 1999 National Electrical Code be able to properly design a Variable Frequency Drive controlled motor circuit.
Understand all of the information indicated on a Motor Nameplate.
Understand the special requirements that a motor must have to be able to be effectively used with a Variable Frequency Drive.
Understand current bonding and grounding requirements of Variable Frequency Drive systems.

Outline

Review of AC Motor Theory
Speed vs. Torque Characteristic Curves for AC Induction Motors
The NEMA Motor Nameplate
The four building blocks of a Variable Frequency Drive
Variable Frequency Drive Parameters
The Characteristics of Resistance, Inductance, and Capacitance in AC Circuits
Harmonics and Transmission Phenomenon with Variable Frequency Drives
Design Requirements of Matching Variable Frequency Drives to AC Induction Motors
Why Motors Fail in Variable Frequency Drive Systems