Increasing motor efficiency with power factor control

Maximizing energy efficiency of a motor drive application using classic, interleaved power factor control (PFC).

By SOURCE: Vincotech GmbH April 19, 2011

Electric motors account for 65% to 70% of industrial electrical energy consumption and approximately 57% of all electrical consumption worldwide. Therefore, electronic designers of are now looking into maximizing the energy efficiency of a motor drive application using power factor control (PFC). Using an electronic drive to regulate the output speed of the motor for the mechanical load required, with PFC improves efficiency of the drive by correcting the out of phase voltage and current being used.

Classic PFC circuits used in many drive applications have been the single boost topology. Recently, interleaved power factor has gained much interest in the drive community. Each PFC topology has distinct benefits.

As the industrial market looks to replace old inefficient motors, and new equipment manufacturers try to make use of better variable speed motor solutions, high efficient drives will be the solution. Manufacturers that offer motor drives with power factor control will be able to work with OEM customers meeting the needs of energy efficiency, low installation cost, and flexibility.

Vincotech’s article on Increasing Motor Efficiency with PFC

www.vincotech.com

Vincotech

– Edited by Gust Gianos, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com