Variable Frequency Drives

Teacher

Tom

Course Number: VFD-302

Course Description

This course introduces the world of variable frequency drives and their applications in industrial plants and commercial buildings with plenty of hands-on exercises. Students learn how to improve VFD control and efficiency, troubleshoot and fix VFDs, reduce equipment downtime, and eliminate chronic VFD problems. Perform hands-on activities with a real-life variable frequency drive. Input motor data into the variable frequency drive, set parameters for speed control and over-current protection, and check fault codes. Attendees leave this VFD training course with the ability to lower the cost of VFD operation, thus alleviating the need for hiring costly outside service contractors, all while establishing a culture of safe work practices among employees.

Course formats:
MTI Training Center | On-Site

Additional Course Details

Each student will receive class books, work activity sheets, self-test progress evaluations, as well as questions from the instructor to make sure they understand the material presented. It is expected that an attendee will leave the class with the basic knowledge of the subject and possess new found skills to better equip them when they return to their job. A certificate suitable for framing will be issued to each attendee who successfully completes the course.

Hands-on activities:
85% hands-on activities

Course Syllabus

Understand how a motor operates, develops its starting torque, and how the VFD drive controls the torque.
How a three phase motor operates.
Associate the motor torque and speed of a given application.
Understand the effects on speed, torque, and power when changes to a system are made.

The component level of VFD operation. Given a schematic of a VFD, define the main sections of a VFD location and what each section is responsible for.
How a drive can fluctuate outputs to the motor and what components make this possible.
What Pulse Width Modulation is and how the duty cycle will affect the motor.
Explain the basic operation of the drive.

Understand the important parameters that will be needed for programming a VFD by looking at the motor and the application.
Given a motor, the student will be able to indicate the important parameters need for the drive.
Determine the correct stopping methods for the system.
Understand the difference between dynamic, DC injection, and regenerative braking.

Encoders and resolvers—What they are and what use they have in the field.
The student will be able to explain a basic feedback loop.
Identify and understand the internal workings of an encoder and resolver.
Understanding the use of each wire in the overall encoder system.

The student will be able to perform basic wiring and programming of a VFD.
What program parameters are for a drive based on motor specifications.
Define the control parameters of a drive
Wire a drive for 2-wire or 3-wire control & other wiring setups that a drive might use.
Basic networking for drives.
Program a drive through CCW or Studio 5000.

Troubleshooting variable frequency drives for common types of issues that they might have.
Identify problem areas where a drive
could be losing its operating life.
Understand the most common VFD faults that will be experienced out in the field.
Based on the fault, the student will be able to find and correct the cause of the drive issue.

Prerequisites

All students must have the following: The student must have a basic under-standing of electrical theory.
The student must have a basic under-standing of electrical controls. This includes switches, push buttons, relays, contacts, starters, etc.
The student must have a basic under-standing of motors & able to use a multi-meter to test components.
The student must be able to read electrical schematics.