Page 4 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 28th September 2020

VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES...

Modern variable speed drives

are automation platforms

Wayne Turtill of Mitsubishi Electric UK, explores some of the extended

functionality of the modern variable speed drive and looks at its potential to
integrate into the complete automation platform

he modern variable speed drive (VSD) is extended functionality within today’s increasingly
the cornerstone of the automation sophisticated VSD product ranges.
environment, with a single device able to In the early 1980s, the variable speed drive was
Tprovide effective and efficient speed as a revolutionary product, opening up the potential to
well as torque control of a host of different motor use low cost AC induction motors in applications
types. In recent years, manufacturers have included where previously the more expensive DC motor was
comprehensive safety functions, integrated the only option. Indeed, there was much talk
communications, powerful auto-tune capabilities through that decade and beyond of how the VSD
and intuitive software for application set-up but had sounded the death knell of the DC motor. This
even that barely scratches the surface of the debate proved something of a red herring but

September 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p4