Fault Detection Techniques for Variable Frequency Drives and its Structured Components

Abstract

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are essential instruments in modern industrial systems, providing precise control over motor speed in various industrial applications and improving energy efficiency. Faults in VFD’s can lead to costly downtime and reduced productivity. This paper presents precise fault detection technique for VFDs and its technical components providing flawless step by step method for quick access of faulty parts / items and time saving in testing methods. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately detecting faults in IGBT, SCR, choke, capacitor, power card, control card, firing card, CT card and its causes like temperature over voltage and current, aging, atmosphere and bearing wear etc. The proposed methodology offers Cold test and hot test methods applied on common technical machines using oscilloscope and multi-meter.

Introduction

V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our sincere gratitude to Company Managing Director Mr. Ashwin Ruparelia for granting permission for Internship at Eurotech Power Controls, Ahmedabad. We express our warm thanks to Mr. Naitik Gundigara, Head of Electrical Engineering Department and quality check for giving necessary advice and guidance and arranged all facilities to make this internship easier. We are also grateful to Mr. Parth Patel and Mr. Sandeep for having a chance to meet with so many wonderful people and professionals who led us through this internship period at workplace / customer site. How can we forget to our gorgeous mentor, our inspirator; without his suggestions, commands and supports it was not possible to accomplish this goal.

Conclusion

Variable Frequency Drives are critical devices in modern industrial systems, providing precise control over motor speed in various industrial applications and civilizing electrical energy resourcefully. Consequences of faulty VFDs are reduced efficiency and disruption of industries product, workforce burdening the commercial issues. This research paper reveals about the exact technique of detecting faults in VFD a bit at a time. Experimental results determine the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accurately detecting faults in IGBT, SCR, choke, capacitor, power card, control card, firing card, CT card. This paper also outlines a step-by-step fault detection method utilizing cold and hot testing methods using oscilloscopes, multi-meter and power panel. Cold tests involve multi-meter testing and oscilloscope diode drop, while hot tests involve power panel and oscilloscope pulse generate. The process includes detailed fault checking steps for high-power and low-power components, ensuring efficient fault detection in Variable Frequency Drive to resolve the problem associated with apparatuses swiftly and to facilitate the work of industry with minimal breakdown.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Anwarul M. Haque, Ashish P. Patel, Yash C. Shah, Mohammad Saad J. Ghori. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.