Innovative Solutions for Clean, Reliable Power
Reduced voltage is a big problem for any motor driven process, making it very important to understand the impact poor POWER FACTOR can have on equipment.
Improve Power Quality and Equipment Performance
EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE ▼
VOLTAGE DROP AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE ▼
Motor driven equipment account for much of what's used within industrial or commercial operations; motors are relied upon to drive air handlers, chillers, compressors, pumps, industrial machinery and much more!
Did you know a poor POWER FACTOR impacts a motor's performance and longevity? A lower POWER FACTOR causes a higher current flow for any given load; as line current increases, the voltage drop in the conductor will increase, resulting in lower voltage at the equipment. This lower voltage may cause the motor to act sluggish and overheat. Correcting POWER FACTOR reduces the voltage drop in the conductor and creates a 'stiffer' voltage source at your equipment.
Some Considerations:
▼Voltage and Motor Horsepower, Heat and Longevity (Click Image)
▼Voltage and Motor Torque (Click Image)
The nameplate horsepower rating on a motor is based on full voltage being available. The horsepower output is the combination of voltage times the current. This means if the voltage is too low, then to produce the rated (or required) horsepower, the current will need to be high, which results in an abnormal temperature rise. Over time, even a slight drop in voltage at the motor can shorten the effective life of the motor. A general rule for motors is 'for every 10° C a motor operates above its rated temperature, the motor's life will decrease by 50%.'
With reduced voltage, torque capability is reduced over the whole accelerating range from the motors initial startup to its full-load speed. This reduces its ability to produce sufficient starting torque and increases acceleration times; leading to start-up issues. At full-load, speed is only a fraction of a percent lower than normal, but the torque is actually reduced by the square of the voltage ratio, (the operating voltage/nameplate voltage). This reduction in breakdown torque means the motor has less ability to drive through a brief torque overload without stalling.
| VOLTAGE @90% OF NAMEPLATE | IMPACT | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting and Maximum Torque | Decrease 21% | Motor will not start or perform tasks, can impact other loads |
| % Slip | Increase 23% | Impacts both speed and horsepower |
| Full load speed | Decrease 1% |
Significantly impacts torque and horsepower |
| Full load current | Increase 10-12% | Results in overheating and motor failure |
| Full load efficiency | Decrease 1-3 points | |
| Locked rotor current | Decrease 10-12% | Impact full-load start-up |
| Locked rotor current | Increase 23% Increase 6-12% |
Over extended periods will cause motor insulation to deteriorate. Shortens motor life. |
| Maximum Overload Capacity | Decrease 19% | Motor failure |
Poor POWER FACTOR is a problem for most motors;
impacting both performance and longevity.
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