A drive is a speed regulator for a motor. Two types of drives exist, namely, direct current (DC) drives and alternating current (AC) drives. An AC drive is also known as a variable frequency drive, variable speed drive, or adjustable speed drive.

Over time, AC drives have become more popular than DC drives. This is due to them efficiently delivering the exact power needed for the load requirement, this allows them to save more energy. They are used in, and suited to applications that require a driver that can handle fast paced speed changes. They are often used to drive 3 phase AC induction motors.

What Are AC Drives?

AC drives are the middlemen between the electrical supply and the AC motor. It is fed the power that the motor needs, converts that power, and relays it to the motor in a frequency and voltage that the AC motor can handle. To achieve this, AC drives make use of a double conversion. They do this by converting an AC current to a DC current. They then convert that DC current back into an AC current.

What Are Different Types of Drives?

Although all AC drives perform a double conversion to ensure the correct voltage and frequency is available to power the motor, one does get different types of AC drives. The type of AC motor being powered is what determines the type of AC drive; thus, if you were using an induction motor, the drive would be classified as an induction AC drive. There are 4 conventional AC drives that are frequently used, and they consist of induction drives, synchronous drives, sensorless vector drives, and servo drives.

At EP Normand, we have a wide variety of Parker AC drives available for purchase. They range from general purpose AC drives to modular, and high-power AC drives.

• General Purpose AC Drives: as a reliable and economical AC drive solution, this drive excels at the stock standard daily motor control application. They are user friendly, are reasonably compact, and are suitable to most environments.
• Modular AC Drives: as a systems-capable AC drive, they can perform in demanding environments. They should be able to control both the speed and position of an open- and closed-loop, as well as single- or multi-motor applications. They should also be compatible with a wide range of feedback options.
• High-Power AC Drives: when looking for a high-power AC drive it should include dynamic breaking, be compatible with all types of AC motors, and operate without feedback.

To find out more about which AC drive would be best suited to your requirements, contact us at EP Normand.