Tightdrive Speed Controls Launched By Bison

Bison Gear's Tightdrive speed control for permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motors was designed for applications that require a convenient location for the control on the motor. The majority of PMDC gearmotors and motors used in industry require speed controls in order to operate.

Typically, the control is wired to the motor through a costly, complicated cable system and the motor and control can be many steps away from each other. Bison Gear and Engineering's Tightdrive motor-mounted speed control can be easily field-mounted on Bison PMDC gearmotors up to 1/6 horsepower (124W) and offers a 20:1 speed range with maximum output of 90V.

The Tightdrive is housed in a durable aluminium extrusion that offers NEMA 1 (IP30) protection and good heat dissipation. Speed is controlled with a combination on/off switch and speed potentiometer. In addition, three easily accessible adjustable potentiometers provide settings for minimum rpm, maximum rpm, and current limiting. The SCR control architecture also provides tighter speed regulation than alternative controls.

The Tightdrive is designed for 115V 50/60Hz operation and comes complete with a 3ft power cord and NEMA 5-15P plug. Users can mount the drive directly to the motor in 90-degree increments to optimise position of cord exit and motor leads. The Tightdrive speed controls are available for immediate shipment from Bison's distribution network or direct from the Bison Gear website.

ABB Drives Reduce Energy Used By Fridges

ABB Group's Variable Speed Drives have won an award for cutting energy usage and extending the life of refrigerators. The Food and Drink Innovation Network Clegg Food Projects Award for New Process and Environmental Awareness was presented to ABB at a gala dinner at the National Space Centre, Leicester. More than 60 per cent of industrial electrical energy is used to power electric motors, the majority of which are used on fans, pumps and compressors.

These devices are used in refrigeration equipment. The motors driving these applications usually run at a constant speed, even though the load is varying. Using variable speed drives (VSDs), the speed of the motor can be slowed down, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed. A VSD can be retrofitted to most existing systems.

The mechanical controls are simply locked fully open and the VSD directly controls the speed of the electric motor. Since cold storages and fridge plants typically run for 24 hours, most refrigeration drive applications are potential VSD candidates. Any refrigeration system with a wide variation in operating hours or with a heat load that is less than the peak load can benefit from a VSD. ABB applied existing technology to the food industry by developing bolt on variable speed drive motors for refrigerators.

These keep units running at regular speeds and prevent peaks of energy use when something is put inside a fridge, reducing energy use and costs and cutting carbon footprints. This increases the life of the equipment. Instead of continually running at full speed, the lower speed reduces stresses, increases the equipment life and extends service intervals, cutting maintenance costs.