HVAC drives application-more than just changing the speed
ABB says HVAC drives applications are more than just a change of speed.
VSDs from every manufacturer and reseller can be applied to HVAC installations and will save energy over fixed speed motor drives. Like most applications however, HVAC invariably requires more from the drive than simply varying the speed.
According to ABB Drives UK, there are common misconceptions and challenges facing consultants, OEMs, systems houses and facility managers when using variable-speed drives within the HVAC sector. Based on over twenty years’ experience of VSD installations throughout the building services sector they have identified their top thirty.
“What has become clear is that not all drives are the same,” explains ABB’s UK manager for HVAC drives, Carl Turbitt. “This is partly due to advances in hardware and software which means that today’s drives are very different to those that were written into specifications several years ago.”
The motors matter
For instance, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) applications can be driven with a variety of motor types from electronically commutated motors (ECMs), permanent magnet motors (PM), synchronous reluctance motors (SynRM) and induction motors. Yet users need to be extremely careful when selecting which type of motor can be used for their application.
Among some of the other considerations when selecting a drive is that not all harmonic mitigation is the same, not all drives are right for outdoor use and not all drives achieve the EMC regulations when connected to a motor.
Other considerations include: the ability to catch a reverse or forward spinning load; integration into a plant or Building Management System (BMS) using open networks or proprietary networks. Dedicated functions include smoke extract mode, and a wide range of protective and HVAC application functions. You can now locate a drive in a building or factory and check its health and performance with your smartphone.
Typical HVAC application functions
– First start assistant
– Primary settings for HVAC applications
– Hand-Off-Auto operation mode
– Start interlock (de-frost)
– Delayed start
– Run permissive (damper monitoring)
– Override operation mode
– Real time clock (scheduling)
– Loop controllers for motor and process
– Motor flying start
– Motor preheating
– Energy optimizer and calculators
Dedicated HVAC drives ACH580
ABB has addressed many of these challenges by incorporating hardware and software changes in its new ABB HVAC drive, ACH580 – a variable-speed drive dedicated to the HVAC sector. ACH580 can be integrated with any motor to improve control and comfort in buildings.
ABB is addressing some 30 technical challenges facing users of variable-speed drives (VSD) within the building services sector. The challenges affect, to varying degrees, consultants, OEMs, systems houses, facility managers and end-users. As such, ABB plans to target the relevant challenges to each customer type, over the coming months, before collating all 30 by way of a top tips eBook.
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