Advantages, disadvantages, and application of

Electric Drives
- Suprakash Maity
Contents
 What is electric drive
 Block diagram of Electric drive system
 Advantages of electrical drives
 Disadvantages of Electrical Drive
 Application of electrical drives
 Conclusion

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What is electric
drive?
Motor is required in large numbers of
applications in industry. Systems employed
for motion control are called as drives and
may employ any of the prime movers.
Drives which employee's electric motors are
called electric drives.
Nowadays, Electrical energy is generated in
the large amount for uses in industries,
agriculture, domestic needs and also for
electric traction. In all these electrical
applications, electric motor is essential. This
motors in the application are also terms as
electrical drives.
Electrical drives have many advantages over
other mechanical drives. Electrical drives are
more popular for its simple constructions,
reliability, cleanliness, and smooth easy speed
control. In electrical drives, both types of
electrical motors, AC and DC motors are used
for applications.

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Block
diagram of
Electric drive
system
The electrical drive system can be explained in much easier with the help of a block diagram of the
system. Electrical drive system contains source, power modulator, motor, sensing unit, controlling
unit and load.
Electrical drive system block diagram is shown in the figure. Working and the importance of each
block in the system is given below.
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Details of Block Diagram
1. Source
A source can be anything AC or DC used in the system. 1 -Φ or 3 Φ, 50 Hz Ac is mostly used in the
drive system in most locations. Lower power drives are generally fed from the single-phase
supply and high-power drives are generally fed from the 3-phase supply. Some of the drives are
also fed from the battery source.
2. Power Modulator
Power modulator has numerous function in the system.
⇒ The main function of power modulator is to modulate the flow of power from a source to the
motor. It modulates the power as per torque-speed characteristics required by the load.
⇒ It is used for selection of mode operation of the motor.
⇒ It converts the energy in a suitable form which required by the motor.
⇒ It regulates source and motor currents within some required value. It regulates the current in
starting, braking and some speed reversal conditions.
3. Electrical Motor
Motor is generally used in the system to convert electrical of energy into electrical energy. Motors used in
electric drives are induction motors. synchronous motors, Dc motors, stepper motors and also reluctance
motors. In past, induction motors and synchronous motors are only used for constant speed applications.

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Details of Block Diagram
But nowadays, AC motors are used in variable speed drives due to some development in some modern
electronic devices. Dc motors are used in battery drives.
4. Load
Load can be anything which consumes power. It is machinery, such as fans, blowers, pumps, robots and
machines which performs a given task. According to Load requirement, motors and source can be chosen.
Load are broadly classified as industrial load, domestic load, agriculture load etc.
5. Sensing unit
This unit is consisting of current sensor or speed sensor. It senses the output speed or required quantity.
Speed is sensed in the system by tachometer which is coupled with the motor. Current sensing is required
in the system for current limit control. Sensing unit is directly attached to the controlling unit.

6. Controlling unit
Sensed Output is given to the controlling unit. In controlling unit, Sensed output and required output is
compared and some input command given to the controller for getting the required output. Various types
of controllers are used in electric drives. Control unit controls the function of power modulator.
The nature of the controller is used according to power modulator used. When semiconductor
converters are used, the control unit consists of some firing circuits in it. Other types of the controller are
also used in electrical drive system.

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Advantages of electrical drives
Electrical Drives have numerous advantages over other
drives. Advantages of electrical drives are as below:
 They have a longer life span than other drives
systems.
 They are pollution free as there are no flue gases in
that.
 It is more economical.
 No need of any fuel storage and transportation.
 It has High efficiency.
 various speed control methods available.
 They require less space.
 It is reliable and economical source of power.
 It can be remotely controlled.
 Available in wide range of various parameters like
speed, torque, and power.
 Electrical energy can be transported to long
distances by transmission lines. 7
Disadvantages of
electrical drives :-
With some advantages of the electrical
drive, there are also some disadvantages of
electrical drives. Some disadvantages are as
shown below:

 It can not be installed where electricity is

not available. For installation of electric
motor electrical energy is necessary.
 On the failure of electrical supply, the
electrical drive system cannot work.
 It can cause noise pollution.
 The initial cost of the system is high.
 It has a poor dynamic response.

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Application of
electrical drives
It is used in a large number of
industrial and domestic
applications like
transportation systems,
rolling mills, paper machines,
textile mills, machine tools,
fans, pumps, robots, and
washing, etc.

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Conclusion
Here we saw a detailed article related to
electric drives. As we saw any system employs
for motion control is called as drives. Here
motors are also sometimes termed as drives.
AC and DC both types of drives are used in
industry as per application.
Electrical drives have numerous application
like pollution free, longer life, economical and
easy transportation. Some disadvantages of
electric drives are that in the failure of
electricity, electrical drives cannot work, and
initial cost is high.
Hope you know all these related to our topic.
Still, if you have any doubt regarding this
topic feel free to ask in the comment section.

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 Thank you

Name – Discipline – Roll –

SUPRAKASH Electrical 26301620060
MAITY Engineering

Year – 4th Sem – 7th

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