VSDs for fast pump testing

The power supply panel, inverters, cabling and local isolation boxes were installed by ABB Authorised Value Provider, Inverter Drive Systems (IDS), which also installed a control system and software, as well as undertaking complete electrical installation and cabling for the project.

The test rig is divided into two independent test facilities capable of running at the same time. The first and smallest facility has two test stations with ABB 2 pole motors, one of 11kW and the other of 37kW. The second, larger, facility has three test stations with ABB motors, one with a 75 kW 2 pole, one with a 132 kW 2 pole and one with a 75 kW 4 pole.

The motors are controlled with an ABB standard PC package called ‘Drive Windows’ enabling remote start/stop and VSD control via fibre optic link.

The five VSDs were ABB ACS800 IP54 wall-mounting units and range from 11 kW to 132 kW to match the motors. The VSDs are fed from a new motor control panel which was also supplied by IDS.