How VFD causes motor failure
2015-08-04
Damage to windings and bearings is caused by repetitive and rapid pulses applied to the motor from a modern
VFD’s non-sinusoidal power-switching circuitry. The names used to describe this phenomenon include harmonic
content, parasitic capacitance, capacitive coupling, electrostatic buildup, and common mode voltage. Regardless
of the name used, high peak voltages and fast voltage rise times can cause cumulative degradation of insulation,
bearings, coil varnish, etc. If the load impedance is higher than the line impedance, current is reflected back toward
the VFD, creating voltage spikes at the motor terminal that can be twice as high as the DC voltage. The cumulative
bearing damage caused by VFD-induced currents is often overlooked until it is too late to savethe motor.
VFD’s non-sinusoidal power-switching circuitry. The names used to describe this phenomenon include harmonic
content, parasitic capacitance, capacitive coupling, electrostatic buildup, and common mode voltage. Regardless
of the name used, high peak voltages and fast voltage rise times can cause cumulative degradation of insulation,
bearings, coil varnish, etc. If the load impedance is higher than the line impedance, current is reflected back toward
the VFD, creating voltage spikes at the motor terminal that can be twice as high as the DC voltage. The cumulative
bearing damage caused by VFD-induced currents is often overlooked until it is too late to savethe motor.