This course will feature:

• Understanding types of AC motors and their starting methods
• Principle of operation of variable speed drives
• Identification of the various types of variable speed drive
• Trouble shooting and maintenance of variable speed drives
• Protection of motors and drives

By the end of this course delegates will be able to:

• Understand the various types of AC motors and starters
• Determine the components and operations of variable speed drives
• Explain the different types of variable speed drives
• Analyze the common faults in a variable speed drive
• Design the protection requirements for motors and drives
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of how AC Variable Speed Drives (VSD's) work
• Install VSDs properly
• Select the right VSD for a given application
• Troubleshoot VSDs competently
• Competently explain how flux-vector control works for drive applications
• Understand squirrel cage induction motors
• Identify the protection and control system requirements for VSD's
• Interface VSD’s with PLCs
• Understand the causes of motor burnout
• Deal effectively with VSD harmonics and EMC/EMI problems

Electrical Engineers, Electrical Technicians, Electrical Inspectors, Electrical Professionals & Supervisors, Instrumentation and Design Engineers, Maintenance Engineers, Supervisors & Technicians, Energy Management Consultants, Control Engineers & Technicians, Automation & Process Engineers, Chemical & Mechanical Engineers, Consulting Engineers, Field Technicians, Graduate Engineers, Project and Production Managers, Project Engineers, Electronic  Technicians, Plant Managers, Process Control Engineers, System Engineers, System Integrators, Testing Engineers & Technicians, Power System Engineers, Power System Technicians, Utility Engineers, Managers & Team Leaders of Engineering Departments, Safety

Professionals, Plant Electricians, Facilities Engineers, Operations & Maintenance Engineers, Supervisors & Technicians, Project Engineers, Commissioning & Testing Engineers, Consulting Engineers, Electrical Technologists, Facility & Plant Managers.

Control System for AC Variable Speed Drives

• The Overall Control System
• Power Supply to the Control System
• DC Bus Charging System
• VSD Control Loops (Open-Loop, Closed-Loop)
• Vector control and its applications
• Current Feedback in AC Variable Speed Drives
• Speed Feedback from the Motor

Introduction to Variable Speed Drives

• The Need for Variable Speed Drives
• Fundamental Principles of Speed Control
• Efficiency, Torque, Inertia, Horsepower/Power Factor
• Torque-Speed Curves
• How the motor produces Torque
• Types of Variable Speed Drives

The Selection of AC Converters for Variable Speed Drive Applications

• The Basic Selection Procedure
• Load ability of Converter Fed induction Motors
• Operation in the Constant Power Region
• The Nature of the Machine Load
• Starting and Stopping VSDs (Motor Braking)
• How to Calculate Acceleration Torques and Times
• How to select the correct Motor and Converter for Pump and Fan Loads
• How to select the correct Motor and Converter for Constant Torque Loads, such as conveyors

Installation and Fault Finding Techniques

• General Installation and Environmental Requirements
• Power Supply Connections and Earthing
• Where to install the Contactors in the Power Circuit
• Installing AC Converters into Metal Enclosures

Phase AC Induction Motors

• Basic Construction and Physical Configuration
• Principles of Operation and Performance
• Equivalent Circuit and Fundamental Equations
• Starting, Acceleration, Running and Stopping
• Power, Torque and Thermal Rating

Power Electronic Converters

• Definitions and Basic Principles
• Power Diodes and Thyristors
• Principles of Communication
• Power Electronic Rectifiers
• Power Electronic Inverters
• Gate Commutated Converters
• Gate Controlled Devices - GTO, FCT, GTR, FET, IGBT

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

• Sources of Electromagnetic Interference
• Harmonics on the Power Supply side of AC Converters
• The Effect of Harmonic Distortion on other connected Equipment
• Methods of reducing the effect of Supply Side Harmonics
• Electric Motor Protection
• Thermal Overload Protection

Protection of Motors and Converters

• AC Frequency Converter Protection
• Fault Diagnostics
• Electric Motor Protection
• Thermal Overload Protection

CDGA attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing a minimum of 80% of the total course duration.