How to Choose the Right Variable Speed Drive

As an expert in the field of industrial automation, you may be wondering about the necessity of buying a variable speed or frequency drive rather than a soft starter. While both are related to the control of electric motors, they do so in different ways. The action of a soft starter is centred on startups and shutdowns. It ensures that the motor does not start abruptly and thus avoids unnecessary energy losses and too much wear on the equipment. The variable speed drive, on the other hand, does not focus on a single moment of the motor's work. It allows continuous monitoring of the motor's activity and constant adaptation to real-time requirements. Though soft starters are less costly at first, they do not allow for as much reduction of energy consumption and overall costs as VSDs do.

What then are the factors you should consider to choose the right VSD or VFD? There again, it depends on the specific conditions of your industry and installation, the characteristics of the motors you use, as well as the brands and communication languages of your other equipment.