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Medium-voltage motor control systems

5 ways medium-voltage drives can reduce operational costs

Synchronous transfer VFDs reduce equipment costs and improve system reliability.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are often used to reduce energy usage and cut power bills. Although energy efficiency is a powerful incentive to incorporate drive technology, there is another major benefit to applying drives in medium-voltage applications: do more with less equipment.

Medium-voltage drives that enable synchronous transfer can control multiple motors or starters with a single drive. Here are a few powerful benefits of the technology:

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Reduce equipment requirements and related costs

A synchronous transfer drive system can control multiple motors and starters with various ratings using a single drive. With fewer control components, there is less equipment to test and fewer commissioning and startup complexities.

Take up less space – upwards of 50 percent

Synchronous transfer systems engineered with an integrated, double-bus design can reduce equipment footprint. Many cable connections are also eliminated thanks to the close coupling of the drive and motor contactors. Further, synchronous transfer systems using a stacked contactor design can reduce space requirements upwards of 50 percent.

Avoid unnecessary mechanical stress

The key difference in a synchronous transfer system is the ability to match a drive’s output to the utility’s line power with seamless sync-up and sync-down transition. Closed transistion protects motors extending equipment service life.

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Improve reliability

Synchronous transfer systems that provide a single location for landing motor leads can help optimize system configuration and connections. Closed-transition features have the added benefit of keeping motor systems running reliably. For example, the elimination of current and torque transients increases process uptime and reduces unnecessary motor and load wear. Additionally, the elimination of contactor timing requires fewer control components to maintain, less testing time and reduced commissioning complexity.

Enhance safety with arc-resistant designs

Arc-resistant drives are designed to enhance safety by containing and redirecting the arc energy up and through a plenum. Today, there are arc-resistant medium-voltage variable frequency drives that incorporate a double-bus design to enable synchronous transfer while enhancing safety.

Arc resistant medium voltage drive close coupled to arc resistant Amgpard starters

Want to learn more?

In this video, Eaton engineers discuss the SC9000 medium-voltage drive and how it can control multiple motors when engineered as a synchronous transfer system.

SC9000 EP medium-voltage VFD

Fundamentals of medium-voltage control

Eaton's medium-voltage control solutions

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