Operating Practices to Maximize the Energy Savings Potential of VFDs

Over the last twenty years, variable frequency drives have become a widely accepted technology, consistently installed in new projects and retrofitted into many old buildings.  However, the energy savings potential of this technology is greatly limited by lack of training on their capabilities at the building level.  Especially where VFDs have been retrofitted onto old buildings, we often find them being used only for softstart or not at all. This presentation provides examples of a number of cases in which the potential of VFDs has not been maximized, and recommends adjustments to installation, training and operational practices that could address these issues.