VFD Preventive Maintenance
The three key tenets of maintaining variable frequency drives—keeping
them clean, dry, and with tight connections—are relatively simple.
However, owners and facility managers need to implement regular
preventative maintenance and inspection processes to make sure each
requirement is met.
1.Keeping VFDs Clean : Most VFDs have side vents to allow for better
airflow. These vents provide some degree of protection against solid
foreign objects, but they do allow dust to accumulate inside the unit and
on the vents themselves. This can prevent heat sinks and circulating fans
from cooling the VFD unit. They require regular cleaning so the material
doesn’t build up enough to impede airflow or jeopardize performance.
2.Keeping VFDs Dry :Like most electronics, VFDs are vulnerable in the
presence of moisture. Protecting storage spaces with dehumidifiers
helps keep the ambient humidity level low enough to reduce the risk of
corrosion. The open vents and unsealed cover mean that moisture can
easily get inside the unit and cause corrosion. Even water dripping from
a nearby dehumidifier unit can be enough to ruin the device, so it’s
important to plan the space correctly and regularly inspect on-site VFDs.
3.Keeping VFD Connections Tight :VFDs require tight connections to
perform. The connections may loosen over time due to mechanical
vibration, heat cycles, or even incidental movement throughout long
periods of time. Facility managers should have the connections
inspected regularly to check for loose connections.