Looking for a variable speed control for single phase motor(s)

MikeVT

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #1

Does anybody have any experience/suggestions for variable speed control of single phase motors?

My application is: Control up to 4 - 1/2hp fans (shaded pole motors), via analog output from a PLC.

Additional details: My thought is possibly 1 'drive', with separate overload protection for each motor, if needed, controlled by one common analog output.

I know... 3 phase motors wold be much easier. That's not possible in my application.

Thanks for your help.

 

James Mcquade

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #2

If my memory is correct, AB makes single phase units.
I would double check to see if you can support 4 drives on 1 vfd, also; you will need to upsize the drive if you went this route.

regards,
james

 

danatomega

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #3

This appears to be a 115 or 230VAC analog input single phase VFD:
http://www.anaconsystems.com/text/eagle1downloads.html

 

MikeVT

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #4

Thanks James.

All I can find with AB is single phase in, 3 phase out. (PowerFlex 4).

I did find a hit via google, for Invertek. I could get a 1hp unit, and feed 2 fans per drive. Anybody know anything about Invertek drives?

 

einnh

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #5

You can many of the AB drives single phase (even though listed as a 3 phase motor). Contact your AB distributor, they will definitely have a tech. that can help.

https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26098

https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/516312

If you don't have a TechConnect contract, all of the PowerFlex Technical Data manuals have the single-phase ratings. The few I have come across in the past were basically re-rating for 50% - 65% over.

 

boneless

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #6

Schneider sells some single phase converters:
http://www.schneider-electric.com/p...n-drives/2905-compact-drives/2253-altivar-12/

We use Danfoss drives mostly, but they may be a bit pricy. What voltage are you needing?
https://vltconfig.danfoss.com/ipc_stdalo/init.do?scenario.xcm=z-drives-ipc_stdalo-public-p02

 

Steve Bailey

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #7

It's amazing that whenever someone raises this question, so many people misinterpret what the OP is trying to accomplish and post links to VFDs that can produce a three-phase output from a single phase supply. Too bad that's not what MikeVT needs.

 

danatomega

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #8

In my post #3 I linked to Anacon Systems Eagle Drive that the datasheet clearly states:

Series # 1S covers six(6) ratings in the power range of 1/6HP to 3/4
HP, all suitable for 115 volts, single-phase input, with 115 volts, single-phase output.​

Click to expand...

How is that NOT what the OP requested?

 

boneless

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #9

Sorry about that, seem the remember we used these drives for single phase machines, I must be wrong..

 

Steve Bailey

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #10

I didn't say all posts weren't pertinent, but I probably should have included the phrase "with the exception of danatomega".

 

JaxGTO

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #11

AB PowerFlex525 go all the way down to 120vac single phase. I just bought one for a project. Part number 25B-V2P5N104. Also has built in Ethernet.

 

Steve Bailey

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #12

AB PowerFlex525 go all the way down to 120vac single phase.

Click to expand...

That's 120 VAC, single phase input with three-phase output. The OP wants to run a single phase motor.

 

NetNathan

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #13

Here are some choices...
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=vfd+single+phase+output

 

Doug-P

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #14

Here's one - http://controlresources.com/ac-fan-control-ac-motor-control-smartfan/

 

milldrone

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• Jun 26, 2015

• #15

The original poster did mention shaded pole. The invertek units will work with most shaded pole designs. The last time I checked the prices on the invertek units, I decided that it would be much more cost efficient to change to 3 phase motors.

That said there is this thread from 2005 when Ron Doran was alive, discussing this problem. http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showthread.php?p=200316#post200316 . In post #36 http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/showpost.php?p=200316&postcount=36 a PLCs member claims to have made a single phase motor with a start switch function on a three phase output VFD. Note: he used a solid state relay to avoid an arc at the output leads of the VFD. If it did function, I'm sure that the low speed performance would be very poor.

 

Last edited: Jun 26, 2015