Variable Frequency Drive Vs. Variable Speed Drive: Electric Motor Speed Control
If you're looking for a way to control the speed of your motor, you might be wondering what the difference is between variable frequency drives (VFDs) and variable speed drives (VS). These devices are both electric motor speed controls, but they work in different ways and have different applications. In this article we'll explore how each one works and how they differ. Electric Motor Types and Applications A variable-frequency drive, or VFD, is a device that controls a motor’s operating speed. It does this by using an adjustable frequency of alternating current (AC) power from the grid to vary the speed of the motor. A variable-speed drive, or VSD, uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to control electric motor speed in applications where the motor operates at constant torque rather than constant horsepower. Both types are available as either open loop or closed loop systems depending on whether they have feedback signals from their environments (e.g., sensors). The m...