Variable-speed motor drives
have been a game changer for
industrial processes and systems.
While installation adds more
cost up front to CapEx (capital
expenditures), the system energy
and consequently OpEx (operating
expenses) savings enabled over
the life of the system outweigh
this amount by at least an order of
magnitude for many applications."
C h a p t e r 1 | M o t o r T y p e s a n d T h e i r C o n t r o l C h a l l e n g e s
With an inverter-fed system, the motor can be fully
speed-controlled from a standstill to a rated speed.
This benefit is significant for many applications,
often eliminating or reducing the need for
mechanical converters such as belts, pulleys, and
gears and improving efficiency.
The transition from grid-fed to inverter-fed motors
is primarily due to increasing efficiency demands
and the benefits that can be achieved in this
regard. Modern control techniques, such as field-
oriented control (FOC) aka vector control, are now
used to optimize energy use and ensure precise
motor operation.
A major challenge in controlling AC motors is
managing the high power levels involved. FOC
schemes use feedback loops to regulate current
and torque, allowing for efficient and precise motor
operation, even under varying load conditions.
However, implementing such control systems
requires significant expertise and sophisticated
algorithms, especially for high-voltage and high-
current environments.
Dara O' Sullivan
Director, System Applications, Analog Devices
7
14 Experts Discuss Motor Control in Modern Applications
