The way we control the speed of fan motors or pump motors has tremendously changed in the past two decades with the introduction of variable-frequency drives (VFDs), aka variable-frequency controllers ...

Heat rate is often the single most important factor in a coal-fired power plant’s economic and emissions profile. Expressed in Btu/kWh or GJ/kWh, heat rate is a measure of efficiency: the quantity of ...

What does a simple cascaded conveyor system look like? How to integrate a conveyor system using only the digital capabilities of modern variable frequency drives (VFDs). Simplifying the automation ...

OEMs and hobbyists benefit from technology’s trickle-down effect. Figure 1. Many industrial applications and small machines with a motor and limited I/O requirements can benefit from using AC VFDs with ...

The topic of motors and motor control techniques is wide and varied. Part one of this two-part article will cover the principles of alternating-current (AC) motor operation and control. Part two will ...

Learn what smart hydraulic power pack design looks like. Most hydraulic circuits are not a continuously operating system—the energy consumption during idle periods is substantial. The use of the VFDs ...

David Greenfield: Welcome to the Automation World Gets Your Questions Answered podcast, where we connect with industry experts to get the answers you need about industrial automation technologies. And ...