Print this page Motor and Drive System Basics
Elie Tawil, PE, LEED AP
Course Outline
This course presents the basics of motor and drive systems and briefly describes important terms, relationships, and system design considerations. It also describes key factors involved in motor and drive selection and system design, and provides an overview of the different types of motors and drives and their applications.
In this course, you need to review Section 1, “Motor and Drive System Basics “of the Department of Energy (DOE) Publication “Improving Motor and Drive System Performance” provided below.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Detect the indications of a poor system design;
- Learn about the different types of electric motors;
- Understand motor operating characteristics;
- Learn how to select motors and drives for their corresponding applications;
- Understand load duty cycles; and
- Familiarize with common motor selection problems.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for electrical and mechanical engineers, designers, contractors, plant engineers, facility managers, and others whose work involves motor and drive systems.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will be able to assess the efficiency of their motor and drive applications.
Course Introduction
Cost-effective operation and maintenance of a motor and drive system requires attention not just to individual pieces of equipment but to the system as a whole. A systems approach analyzes both the supply and demand sides of the system and how they interact, essentially shifting the focus from individual components to total system performance. Operators can sometimes be so focused on the immediate demands of their equipment that they overlook the ways in which the system’s parameters are affecting that equipment.
Course Content
This course material is based on Section 1, “Motor and Drive System Basics “of the Department of Energy (DOE) Publication “Improving Motor and Drive System Performance”.
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Course Summary
Motor and drive systems can be highly efficient and reliable if they are specified, configured, and maintained properly. However, significant performance improvement opportunities can often be found in systems with poorly sized, ill-configured, or inadequately maintained motors. Often, most of the energy used by the motor systems in an industrial facility is concentrated in a few systems. These systems tend to feature large motors that run much of the time. Energy-intensive motor and drive systems tend to be critically important to production. So, they might not often be evaluated for efficiency improvements, because then they would have to be shut down for a time for repairs or replacement.
However, because of the close relationship between motor efficiency, performance, and reliability, it can be beneficial to implement energy efficiency projects that involve these systems. Often, the most important benefit of an energy efficiency project is the increased level of motor reliability (i.e., uninterrupted service) that can result. Consequently, engineers, managers, and operators can provide their plants with an important competitive advantage by using a systems approach—one that includes all the benefits of greater system efficiency—to assess their motor and drive applications.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
