Adjustable Speed Drives Response to Voltage Sags

Abstract

This paper presents a study to investigate response of adjustable speed drives due to voltage sags. A small ASD of 0.39 kW, 50/60 Hz, and 400-480 V was used for testing how drives will respond to voltage sag types; A, B, C and D. The drive response is influenced by sag magnitude, sag duration and phase angle shift. Behavior of the diodes rectifier for conducting is influenced by sag magnitude and phase angle shift represented by sag of types C and D. The diodes rectifiers are reverse biased when it was supplied by voltage sags. Even though there are no charging currents to dc bus capacitor during voltage sags, the drives did not directly trip to certain sag magnitude and sag duration. Sensitivity of the ASD to voltage sag types is presented in voltage tolerance curve. Sag of type A produces highest sensitivity on the ASD and it trips for sag magnitude of 62.5% and 250 milliseconds in duration.