Plug and play integrated motor drives

The integrated motor drive (IMD) technology has gained some popularity, yet many customers are still unsure of the true benefits this technology offers taking into consideration the relatively higher initial cost compared to a fixed speed motor or separate motor-inverter alternatives. This paper briefly outlines the IMDs technology, customers concerns, market status, future trends as well as technical challenges to increase power ratings. It also describes the design, development and prototype testing of an integrated motor drive product. Some innovative design approaches, adopted during the development phases to meet changing customers' requirements while striving for the optimum compromise between cost and performance, are briefly mentioned. The newly developed integrated motor drive is fully integrated in that it combines the motor, AC/AC converter, dynamic brake chopper, I/O's, local and remote communications, including infrared, as well as auxiliaries, such as auxiliary power supply. The paper presents critical design issues and proposes solutions.