When Tesla first introduced the 3-phase alternating current (AC) induction motor in 1888, he knew that his invention was more efficient and reliable than Edison's direct current (DC) motor. However, ...

Do you have problems with your existing variable-frequency drives (VFDs)? If so, 3-phase line reactors may be a very viable solution. A line reactor acts not only as a current-limiting device, but it ...

When an application requires changes in motor speeds to meet its objectives, a variable frequency drive (VFD) is often the first thing that comes to mind. This is for good reason—VFDs are typically ...

Variable frequency drives (or VFDs) are widely used throughout industry to provide adjustable speed control of ac motors. Although modern versions are relatively simple to install and operate, VFDs ...

PWM can be either non-synchronous or synchronous. In non-synchronous PWM, the switching frequency is held constant, and is not related to the frequency being fed to the motor. In synchronous PWM, the ...

Legacy designs of variable frequency drives (VFDs) used optocouplers or pulse transformers for isolation and mated them together with gate driver ICs. A more integrated approach, though, uses ...

A dedicated desoldering station is a fantastic tool if you’re in the business of harvesting components from old gear. Having heat and suction in a single tool is far more convenient than futzing with ...

For the past two decades, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and their associated silicon (Si)-based Free Wheeling Diodes (FWDs) have been the mainstay switching devices in 3-phase inverters.

Should you specify an “inverter duty,” “inverter ready,” “inverter rated,” or a “VFD compatible” motor for your fans and pumps in HVAC applications? Is there a difference in these terms? Don’t answer ...