Variable Frequency Drives Seminar

American Trainco Seminars

Bring this seminar on-site to your facility for groups of 10 or more.

Reduce Your Dependence on Outside Service Contractors!A practical 2-day seminar for maintenance technicians

Course Description

If your building facility, plant equipment or OEM system has Variable Frequency Drives, this is the perfect opportunity for you to unlock the secrets and dispel the myths generally associated with these high tech devices. After attending this seminar you will go back to your workplace with real world, practical knowledge and be able to immediately apply what you have learned so that you can keep your equipment up and running. This seminar will teach you how to troubleshoot common VFD problems, take care of your own equipment, and avoid costly repairs or service calls.

Course Competencies & Learning Objectives:

Identify hazards associated with working on VFDs
Understand the importance of safe work practices
Troubleshoot problems associated with VFDs and associated automated control systems
Recognize the main components of a VFD system
Understand the different methods of controlling a VFD
Be familiar with installation requirements
Understand motor/load requirements
Know how to respond to various WARNING or FAULT indications on the VFD
Know the preventative maintenance requirements when using VFDs

In the area of Facilities Maintenance we’ll cover specific applications involving HVAC equipment such as air handlers, hot water and chilled water pumps, and cooling tower fans. In the realm of Industrial maintenance we’ll look at a variety of other specific applications including those requiring constant torque operation. And if you have a unique VFD application, just let our instructor know. If he can’t help you with your specific problem, we’ll refund your money – guaranteed!

Equipment operators, technicians and maintenance personnel as well as electricians and facility managers will benefit from attending this seminar. Course graduates will have learned how to solve common VFD problems resulting in reduced downtime. This means a lower cost of operation with less dependence on outside service contractors. Training will include AC motors, VFD configuration, component layout, applications, various control methods, and installation requirements. Common problems and troubleshooting techniques will be covered as well as VFD operation, setup, programming and preventative maintenance. Other related topics like power quality and harmonics will also be discussed. And to be 100% certain you get the training you need, students are encouraged to bring schematics and diagrams of the VFD’s in their own facility!

Course Outline:

I. VFD Safety Issues/ Electrical Safe Work Practices

A. Personnel Protective Equipment
B. Safe Approach distances
C. Electrical Hazards
D. LOTO (Lockout – Tagout)
E. Insulated Tools

II. Meter Review

A. Mulitmeter
B. Clamp-On
C. Megohmmeter

III. Motor Basics Review

A. Motor Design
B. Single Phase and Three Phase
C. Motor Starters
D. Motor Troubleshooting and Replacement

IV. Control Circuit Basics

A. Electrical Symbols and Schematics
B. Control Circuit Troubleshooting
C. Fuse Replacement

V. Customer Connections

A. Safety Circuit
B. Start / Stop
C. Jog
D. Status Indication
E. Fault Indication
F. Remote Speed Reference
G. Monitoring of Motor Parameters

VI. VFD History

A. Introduction
B. Semiconductors in VFD Design
C. SCR’s / GTO’s / Transistors / IGBT’s / LSI

VII. What VFD’s Do

A. Motion Control / Motor Speed
B. Air Flow / Pressure Control
C. Liquid Flow / Pressure Control
D. Eliminates the need for:
E. Variable Transmission or Sheave
F. Variable Vanes or Dampers on Fans
G. Variable Valves on Pumps

VIII. Benefits of Using a VFD

A. Energy Savings
B. Easier Maintenance
C. Enhanced System Monitoring

IX. Load Types

A. Constant Torque – Conveyors, Positive Displacement Pumps, Superchargers
B. Variable Torque - Centrifugal Fans or Pumps, Saws, Routers, Planers

X. VFD Options

A. Bypass - Two or Three Contactor Style, Disconnect
B. Switch Style, Soft Starter
C. Fusing - VFD or Bypass Protection
D. Input / Output Reactors
E. Motor Overload Device
F. Transient Protection
G. Auxiliary Relays
H. Power Line Phase Reversal Detection

XI. Installation of a VFD

A. Environmental Concerns
B. Clearances
C. Conduit Entry

XII. Customer Connections

A. Safety Circuit
B. Start / Stop
C. Jog
D. Status Indication
E. Fault Indication
F. Remote Speed Reference
G. Monitoring of Motor Parameters

XIII. Wiring and Grounding VFD’s

A. Induced Signals – Inductive, Capacitative
B. Incoming Power (line) Wiring
C. Motor (load) Wiring
D. Control Wiring
E. Proper Grounding Methods

XIV. Controlling a VFD

A. Keypad Controls
B. Terminal Strip Control – Automatic, Manual
C. Bus Communication Control
D. Open Loop Control
E. Manual Operation
F. Automatic Operation

XV. Sensorless Flux Vector

A. ClosedLoop Control
B. PI Loop Configuration
C. Sensor or Transducer Feedback
D. Motor Shaft Encoder Feedback

XVI. VFD Setup, Programming and Troubleshooting

A. Language & Display
B. Control Modes - Open Loop, Closed Loop
C. Motor Data
D. Motor Power (kW) and RPM
E. Voltage, FLA Current
F. Service Factor, Power Factor
G. References & Limits
H. Motor Speeds – Min, Max and Preset
I. Ramp Times
J. Speed Reference
K. Skip Frequencies
L. Limits for Alarms or Faults
M. Inputs / Outputs – Analog, Digital, and Relay
N. Application Functions
O. Reset
P. Flying Start
Q. Sleep Mode
R. Switching Frequency
S. No Load
T. Phase Loss
U. ClosedLoop Functions
V. Normal / Inverse
W. Anti Windup
X. Start-up Frequency
Y. Integral Time / Differential Time
Z. Proportional Gain / Differential Gain
AA. Low-pass Filter

Length of Course Instruction: 14 hours

CEU value: 1.4

You will receive a personalized Certificate of Completion and 1.4 American Trainco Continuing Education Units (.7 credits for each day).

More Seminar Information

TPC Trainco
Summary	Reduce Your Dependence on Outside Service Contractors!A practical 2-day seminar for maintenance technicians
Delivery Method	Seminar
Also Available As	On-Site Training
Who Should Attend	This seminar is designed for any person requiring a general knowledge and understanding of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). Equipment operators, technicians and maintenance personnel as well as electricians and facility managers will benefit from attending this seminar.