
An AC drive is a device that is used to control the speed of an electrical motor, either an induction motor or a synchronous motor. AC drives are also known by various other names such as adjustable speed drives (ASD) or adjustable frequency drives (AFD) or variable frequency drives (VFD) or variable speed drives (VSD) or frequency converters (FC). 6MGB represent VACON that offers VFDs from fractionnal HP up to MW units.
ABB is the world n°1 supplier of solutions to improve the power quality of the low voltage network.
Thanks to an extensive experience and use of the latest technologies, ABB develops, designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of products and solutions which improve the power quality of the Low Voltage Network by eliminating disturbances and improving power factor.
The ABB LV power factor correction portfolio includes:
Variable frequency drives are beneficial for a wide range of applications, however VFDs contain a power conversion process that creates current and voltage distortion which can cause system-wide problems. If non-linear loads represent a significant portion of the entire installed load, this distortion begins to cause problems throughout the electrical system:
Voltage spikes on the AC power lines cause rapid elevation of the DC Bus voltage which may cause the inverter to “trip-off” and indicate an over-voltage protection condition. Reactors are used to absorb these line spikes and offer protection to the rectifiers and DC Bus capacitors while minimizing nuisance tripping of the inverter. A 3% impedance reactor is 90% effective at protecting against transients or nuisance tripping of AC voltage source inverters, due to voltage spikes. The 5% RL reactor extends spike protection to 99%.