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The Fundamentals of Matrix Variable Frequency Drive Technology

Jan 24, 2017

Variable frequency drives (VFDs), also known as variable speed drives (VSDs), and sometimes inverters, have benefited from many advancements since their introduction in the 1970s. During most of that time, however, the basic design of the drive remained the same, with improvements in performance, size, and cost coming mainly from advances in the drives' semiconductor components.

From the beginning, VFDs have been used to control the speed of electric motors, which consume approximately 25% of the world's electrical energy in industrial and commercial applications. By definition, VFDs enable users to operate a motor at any commanded speed, as opposed to running across-the-line at a fixed speed. This variable speed control improves energy efficiency and lessens the wear and tear on mechanical couplings, such as gears, belts, and pulleys.

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