Electrical Drive: Fundamentals, Advantages and Applications

here we go through detailed article related to electric drive Fundamentals. Here we know all the information related to electrical drives application, advantages and disadvantages of electric drives.

What is electric drive?

Motor is required in large numbers of applications in industry. Systems employed for motion control are called as drives and may employ any of the prime movers. Drives which employes electric motors are called electric drives.

Nowadays, Electrical energy is generated in the large amount for uses in industries, agriculture, domestic needs and also for electric traction. In all these electrical applications, electric motor is essential. This motors in the application are also terms as electrical drives.

Electrical drives have many advantages over other mechanical drives. Electrical drives are more popular for its simple constructions, reliability, cleanliness, and smooth easy speed control. In electrical drives, both types of electrical motors, AC and DC motors are used for applications.

In electrical drives choice, AC drive is preferred because of the following points,

• It cost less
• AC power can be transmitted with low line losses
• It is possible to increase or decrease voltage without more losses of power

Sometimes DC drives are also used because,

• Speed control of DC motor is easier than AC motor.
• For electric traction, DC series motor is used because of high starting torque.
• In some conditions, such as electrochemical and battery charging, DC is the only power which is suitable.

The electric drive system can be easily explained with the block diagram of that system.

Block diagram of Electric drive system

The electrical drive system can be explained in much easier with the help of a block diagram of the system. Electrical drive system contains source, power modulator, motor, sensing unit, controlling unit and load.

Electrical drive system block diagram is shown in the figure. Working and the importance of each block in the system is given below.

 1. Source

A source can be anything AC or DC used in the system. 1 -Φ or 3 Φ, 50 Hz Ac is mostly used in the drive system in most locations. Lower power drives are generally fed from the single phase supply and high power drives are generally fed from the 3 phase supply. Some of the drives are also fed from the battery source.

2. Power Modulator

Power modulator has numerous function in the system.

⇒ The main function of power modulator is to modulate the flow of power from a source to the motor. It modulates the power as per torque-speed characteristics required by the load.

⇒ It is used for selection of mode operation of the motor.

⇒ It converts the energy in a suitable form which required by the motor.

⇒ It regulates source and motor currents within some required value. It regulates the current in starting, braking and some speed reversal conditions.

3. Electrical Motor

Motor is generally used in the system to convert electrical of energy into electrical energy. Motors used in electric drives are induction motors. synchronous motors, Dc motors, stepper motors and also reluctance motors. In past, induction motors and synchronous motors are only used for constant speed applications. But nowadays, AC motors are used in variable speed drives due to some development in some modern electronic devices. Dc motors are used in battery drives.

4. Load

Load can be anything which consumes power. It is machinery, such as fans, blowers, pumps, robots and machines which performs a given task. According to Load requirement, motors and source can be chosen. Load are broadly classified as industrial load, domestic load, agriculture load etc.

5. Sensing unit

This unit is consists of current sensor or speed sensor. It senses the output speed or required quantity. Speed is sensed in the system by tachometer which is coupled with the motor. Current sensing is required in the system for current limit control. Sensing unit is directly attached to the controlling unit.

6. Controlling unit

Sensed Output is given to the controlling unit. In controlling unit, Sensed output and required output is compared and some input command given to the controller for getting the required output. Various types of controllers are used in electric drives. Control unit controls the function of power modulator.

The nature of the controller is used according to power modulator used. When semiconductor converters are used, the control unit consists of some firing circuits in it. Other types of the controller are also used in electrical drive system.

Hope now you know this basic system of electric drive. Now we will also see some of the advantages and disadvantages of electric drive.

Advantages of electrical drives

Electrical Drives have numerous advantages over other drives. Advantages of electrical drives are as below:

• They have a longer life span than other drives systems.
• They are pollution free as there are no flue gases in that.
• It is more economical.
• No need of any fuel storage and transportation.
• It has High efficiency.
• various speed control methods available.
• They require less space.
• It is reliable and economical source of power.
• It can be remotely controlled.
• Available in wide range of various parameters like speed, torque, and power.
• Electrical energy can be transported to long distances by transmission lines.

Disadvantages of Electrical Drive

With some advantages of the electrical drive, there are also some disadvantages of electrical drives. Some disadvantages are as shown below:

⇒ It can not be installed where electricity is not available. For installation of electric motor electrical energy is necessary.

⇒ On the failure of electrical supply, the electrical drive system cannot work.

⇒ It can cause noise pollution.

⇒ The initial cost of the system is high.

⇒ It has a poor dynamic response.

Application of electrical drives

It is used in a large number of industrial and domestic applications like transportation systems, rolling mills, paper machines, textile mills, machine tools, fans, pumps, robots, and washing, etc.

Conclusion

Here we saw a detailed article related to electric drives. As we saw any system employs for motion control is called as drives. Here motors are also sometimes termed as drives. AC and DC both types of drives are used in industry as per application.

Electrical drives have numerous application like pollution free, longer life, economical and easy transportation. Some disadvantages of electric drives are that in the failure of electricity, electrical drives cannot work and initial cost is high.

Hope you know all these related to our topic. Still, if you have any doubt regarding this topic feel free to ask in the comment section.