Electrical Drives: An introduction

Avirup Maulik

Department of Electrical Engineering

School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petrolum University

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Overview

1 Definition and Applications

2 Parts of electrical drives

3 Advantages of electrical drives

4 Choice of Electrical drives

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Definition and Applications
Definition: An electric drive can be defined as an electromechanical
device for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy to impart
motion to different machines and mechanisms for various kinds of
process controls.
Applications:
Driving fans, ventilators, compressors, pumps etc.
Lifting goods by hoists and cranes
Imparting motion to conveyors in factories, mines and warehouses
Running excavators and escalators, electric locomotives, trains, cars,
trolley buses, lifts and drum winders etc.
Steel and plastic rolling mills, textiles and paper mills, printing presses
and machine tools etc. all incorporate electric drives. Cutting,
milling, drilling, grinding, punching, pressing, clipping and other
operations of machine tools and industrial installations are performed
by electric drives. electric drives are also incorporated in flight and
landing control systems of aircraft and in propulsion systems of
sub-marines for cruising underwater.
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Block diagram

Figure: Block diagram of an electrical drive

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Components I

Load
Machinery designed to accomplish a given task e.g, fans, pumps,
robots, washing machines, machine tools, trains and drills
Load requirements usually specified in terms of speed and torque
requirements
Motor
DC Motor, induction motor, synchronous motor, brushless dc motors
(BLDC), stepper motor, switched reluctance motors (SRM) depending
on the application
Motor having speed-torque characteristics and capabilities compatible
to the load requirements is chosen
Power modulator
Rectifier, chopper, inverter etc. depending on the source and the motor
One or more of the following functions:
1 Modulates power flow from the source to the motor in such a manner
that the motor is imparted speed-torque characteristic required by the
load
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Components II
2 During transient operations, such as starting, braking and speed
reversal, it restricts source and motor currents within permissible
values. Excessive current drawn from the source may overload it or
may cause a voltage dip
3 Converts electrical energy of the source in the form suitable to the
motor, e.g., if the source is dc and an induction motor is to be
deployed, then the power modulator is required to convert dc into a
variable frequency ac
4 Selects the mode of operation of the motor, i.e., motoring or braking
Converter usually performs the function (3) and sometimes (1), (2),
and (4)
May also include variable impedances (variable resistors used for
dynamic braking; variable inductors used for limiting starting currents)
or for switching operations (to change quadrant of operation, changing
motor parameters in discrete steps for automatic starting and braking
control, operating motors and drives according to some predetermined
sequence, interlocking to prevent maloperation, disconnect motor when
abnormal conditions occur)

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Components III
Control unit
Controls for power modulator are built in control unit which usually
operates at much lower voltage and power levels
The control unit may also generate command for the protection of
power modulator and motor
Input command signal which adjusts the operating point of the drive,
forms an input to the control unit
When semiconductor converters are used, the control unit will consist
of firing circuits, which employ linear and digital integrated circuits and
transistors, and a microprocessor when sophisticated control is required
For switching circuits, function of the control unit will be to provide
sequencing and interlocking. Solid stated relays, programmable logic
controllers (PLC) are used
Sensing unit
Sensing of certain drive parameters, such as motor current and speed,
may be required either for protection or for closed loop operation
Source
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Components IV
1-phase 50 Hz AC for low power drives and traction applications (25
kV)
3 phase 50 Hz supply for medium and high power drives except some
special applications
Low and medium power drives fed from 3 phase 400 volts supply. For
higher ratings, motors may be rated for 3.3 kV, 6.6 kV, 11 kV
When fed directly from 50 Hz ac supply, maximum speeds of induction
and synchronous motors are limited to 3000 rpm. For higher speeds,
conversion to higher frequency becomes mandatory
For aircraft and space applications, 400 Hz supply is used to achieve
high power to weight ratio for motors
Underground traction systems employ 500 to 750 V dc supply (tunnel
width minimum =⇒ clearance between live conductor and earth to be
minimized =⇒ low voltage)
Some drives are powered from a battery, e.g., fork lift trucks and milk
vans, solar powered drives used in space and water pumping
applications

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Advantages of electrical drives I

Flexible control characteristics: The steady-state and dynamic

characteristics of electrical drives can be shaped to satisfy load
requirements. Speed can be controlled and, if required, can be
controlled in wide limits. Electric braking can be employed. Control
gear required for speed control, starting and braking is usually simple
and easy to operate.
They are available in wide range of torque, speed and power
Electric motors have high efficiency, low no load losses and
considerable short time overloading capability. They can be made in
variety of designs to make them compatible with load. Compared to
other prime movers they have longer life, lower noise, lower
maintenance requirements and cleaner operation
They are adaptable to almost any operating conditions such as
explosive and radioactive environment, submerged in liquids, vertical
mountings, and so on
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Advantages of electrical drives II
Do not pollute the environment
Can operate in all the four quadrants of speed-torque plane.
Electrical braking gives smooth deceleration and increases life of the
equipment compared to other forms of braking. When regenerative
braking is possible, considerable saving of energy is achieved. These
features are not available in other prime movers
Unlike other prime movers, there is no need to refuel or warm-up the
motor. they can be started instantly and can immediately be fully
loaded
They are powered by electrical energy which has a number of
advantages over other forms of energy. It can be generated and
transported to the desired point economically and efficiently.
Conversion of electrical to mechanical energy and vice versa, and
electrical energy from one form to another can can also be done
efficiently and economically

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Choice of Electrical drives

Steady state operation requirements: Nature of speed torque

characteristics, speed regulation, speed range, efficiency, duty cycle,
quadrants of operation, speed fluctuations if any, ratings
Transient operation requirements: Values of acceleration and
deceleration, starting, braking, and reversing performance
Requirements related to the source: Type of source, and its capacity,
magnitude of voltage, voltage fluctuations, power factor, harmonics
and their effect on on other loads, ability to accept regenerated power
Capital and running cost, maintenance needs, life
Space and weight restrictions if any
Environment and location
Reliability

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