Pressure Transducers Allow Variable Frequency Drive Control in Machinery and Factory Automation

What is VFD?

VFD, or variable frequency drive, is a common tool in electric motor control. VFDs, simply put, control electric motors by modifying the power input frequency to the electric motor. VFDs used in conjunction with electrically driven pumps can be made to control both the flow rate and the output pressure of the pump with continuous pressure.
Common uses for VFD-controlled electric motor pumps include the following:

• Water lift systems: Transfers water supply from lower to higher elevation levels since conventional gravity-fed systems with water tower cannot apply necessary pressure.
• Clean water systems: Transfers water supply to, through, and from water treatment facilities.
• Sewage pumping systems: Transfers sewage to processing plants where fluids can be filtered, cleaned, and released to the environment.
• Reservoir management systems: Includes water towers, where sudden draws of water decrease the outlet water pressure of the tower, requiring immediate refilling.
• Compressed air systems: Includes shop air supply, where constant, reliable air pressure is required.

VFD pumping systems excel where continuous monitoring of pressure to minimize overshoot and undershoot of desired pressures is necessary.

Pressure Transducers Provide Variable Frequency Drive Control in Electric Motor Applications

Pressure transducers are used for VFD control in machinery and factory automation in the following electric motor applications:

• Pump intake pressure monitoring
• Pump output pressure monitoring and control
• End location (reservoir, water system, etc.) pressure monitoring and control