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What is VSD and

how does it
work?
 VSD stands for variable speed
drive. Hidden behind these letters
is (inverter) technology that
automatically adjusts
compressor’s motor speed to the
the
compressed air demand in real-
time. This often saves a lot of
energy and money. In fact,
depending on which type of VSD
compressor you use, energy
consumption can drop by up to
60%.
So, how does it work?
To understand the operating principle of
a VSD compressor, let’s first look at its
different components.
The motor and inverter
The variable speed drive adjusts the
compressor’s speed (RPM) by means of an
inverter. Instead of sending all the power directly
into a traditional AC motor that runs at full
capacity, the inverter provides the VSD
capacity, the inverter provides the VSD
compressor only with the specific frequency
required to meet the current demand. And that
can save a lot of energy.
The element
Rotary screw compressors are best suited to
take advantage of the benefits of VSD
technology. The reason is that a rotary screw
Beware of
subpar VSD
technology
Some manufacturers offer retrofitted fixed-
speed compressors with an add-on inverter
as VSD units. These compressors should
come with a disclaimer. To get the most out
of VSD technology, a compressor must be
designed, built and tested as a VSD
compressor. All components, not just the
inverter, must work together to deliver
maximum energy savings and a reliable
operation. That is why Atlas Copco VSD
compressors so clearly outperform the
pretend ones. Because only a dedicated
design and custom-built, quality components
will get the most out of VSD technology.
 .
of Atlas Copco VSD compressors, that is the
Elektronikon® on-board controller. Sensors
continually measure system pressure,
temperature, and in the latest premium VSD
comp even relative humidity. In response to this
data, the system adjusts the motor speed to meet
the actual air demand.
technology. The reason is that a rotary screw
compressor’s flow rate and power consumption
are virtually proportional to speed. Therefore, as
the motor adapts its speed to reflect the current
demand, the rotary screw elements adapt in sync
so the amount of compressed air being delivered
matches that demand.
The brain
Benefits of
using a VSD
compressor
The main benefit of using a VSD compressor
is that it can drastically reduce your energy
costs and therefore save you a lot of money.
However, the technology has other
advantages as well. Here are a few:
1. A VSD compressor can start/stop under
system pressure. There is no need to unload,
which saves both time and energy.

Obviously, as a smart technology, a VSD 2. No time is lost to idling.

compressor also requires a “brain.” In the case
of Atlas Copco VSD compressors, that is the 3. No blow-off losses occur in normal
operations.

4. You can avoid power company penalties

for peak current at startup.

5. The air system pressure is more

consistent, and leakages can be minimized.
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Atlas Copco’s VSD

Compressors
 Compressed air is everywhere.
Without it, large parts of the world
would literally come to a halt.
Fortunately, there is no chance of
running out of compressed air.
That’s because its main
“ingredient” is air, which is literally
all around us.
However, compressing air also
requires power – a lot of it.
Traditionally, that has been the
Achilles heel of compressors.

Because, while air is free, power

certainly is not.

And this has been reflected in the total cost of - .

ownership of compressors, i.e. all of the costs
associated with compressing air over their
lifetime – from the initial investment to operating
expenses and maintenance costs.
Here, the money spent on energy has always
dwarfed all other expenses. In fact, the owner
of a conventional fixed-speed compressor can
anticipate that up to 80% of that total cost of
anticipate that up to 80% of that total cost of
ownership is spent on energy. That not only
affects the bottom line of any business using
compressed air but also burdens the
environment.
However, Atlas Copco has completely changed
this equation with the invention of VSD
compressors. These three letters – and the
technology behind them – have transformed air
technology behind them – have transformed air
compression (and manufacturing) forever.
To understand why and how, let’s first look at
conventional fixed-speed compressors.
As their name indicates, they only have one
speed: full power. You turn them on and they
deliver their maximum output. That’s great if the
respective application requires exactly that much
 .
respective application requires exactly that much
air all the time.

However, the demand for compressed air

fluctuates to a significant degree in nearly 90%
of compressed air installations. In other words,
fixed-speed compressors often produce way
more air than is needed, which is a waste of
resources.
That’s where VSD compressors enter the
picture.
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Does a VSD
compressor make
sense for you?

As you now know, a VSD
compressor excels when the air
demand of an operation fluctuates,
as it does in the vast majority of
applications that use compressed
air.
Specifically, that means that a VSD
compressor is usually the best
option when:
demand for compressed air fluctuates
significantly between jobs.
demand varies by shift, on weekends or
seasonally.
manufacturing processes require tight
operating pressure tolerances.
Traditionally, VSD compressors were not the
best choice for continuous operation at full
speed. In that case, switching losses of the
inverter result in lower energy efficiency at full
speed, which means a VSD model would be less
efficient than an otherwise identical fixed-speed
compressor. On the other hand, while this is true
for first-generation VSD compressors, more
recent models have become more efficient than
- ,
recent models have become more efficient than
fixed-speed models, even at maximum speed.
If you are unsure whether a VSD compressor
makes sense for you, just commission a
professional air audit. That is the best way to
, In fact, by significantly reducing both the
professional air audit. That is the best way to
identify the most appropriate compressor and
controls for your specific application.
Simply contact Atlas Copco and talk to us about
your needs and applications!
Contact an expert
Did you know
that you can
also get a dryer
with VSD
technology?
Because refrigerant dryers have their own
small compressor, you can now also take
advantage of the variable speed drive
technology when drying air.
active and inactive energy consumption,
these dryers are the most efficient on the
market – far surpassing thermal mass dryers.
In addition, as opposed to thermal mass
dryers, a VSD dryer offers dew point stability.
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Great, greater,
greatest
 Atlas Copco launched the first
VSD compressors about a
quarter-century ago and
revolutionized the market.
The first models lowered the
energy costs of their users by up
to 35%, which sharply reduced the
total cost of ownership of
compressors.
Instead of resting on its success, Atlas Copco
has continued to develop the technology and has
launched two other types of variable speed
drives since then, the VSD+ and the VSDS.
Let’s take a look at how VSD compressors have
evolved and which model might be the right
choice for you.
VSD
This is the classic among compressors with
variable speed drive. Compared to a fixed-speed
compressor, a first-generation GA VSD model
can drastically reduce your energy consumption
, -
can drastically reduce your energy consumption
and costs by up to 35%. Thanks to their
outstanding reliability, these compressors remain
a great option for operations with a variable air
demand.
VSD+
The GA VSD+ range is a true engineering
marvel. It features an interior Permanent Magnet
(iPM) motor that further boosts the efficiency of
VSD compressors. Compared to idling
compressors, that can mean energy savings of
up to 50%.
While the initial investment is greater than that of
traditional compressors and first-first generation
VSD models, the energy savings quickly make
-
VSD models, the energy savings quickly make
up for that. Ultimately, the low operating
expenses result in a much lower total cost of
ownership of GA VSD+ models.
The entire drive train of these compressors is a
closed circuit, where both motor and elements
are cooled with oil. This provides additional
energy savings.
Another major benefit of VSD+ compressors is
that they can be installed flexibly. First, their
vertical design has reduced the footprint of these
compressors by 60%, which means they fit in
more places. In addition, because there are no
coupling or gears between the motor and the
screw element, VSD+ compressors are
 . ,
that all parts are easily accessible, which
facilitates maintenance.
Finally, VSD+ compressors come with the state-
of-the-art Elektronikon® smart controller system
that features embedded connectivity with
SMARTLINK. This allows simple and effective
remote monitoring and integrates with plant
management systems (See more below).
VSDS
It all starts with the new Neos Next inverter, in-
house designed specifically for compressor
applications. Combined with the new drive train,
the Neos Next reduces the amount of energy
needed by up to 60% compared to conventional
compressors.

Atlas Copco’s third-generation GA VSDS

screw element, VSD+ compressors are
exceptionally quiet. This allows for installation
outside the compressor room, at the point of use.
VSD+ compressors are built to last with robust
components, which reduces service
requirements. In addition, they are designed so
that all parts are easily accessible, which
compressors are the industry’s gold standard
and have raised the bar yet again in terms of
efficiency, reliability, connectivity and
sustainability.
This range does not just offer incremental
improvements or a single innovation. Instead,
VSDS compressors are a combination of
decades of experience and everything that new
technologies have to offer.
The result is a smart, adaptable compressor that
benefits your operation, your bottom line and the
environment.
The efficiency of the GA VSDS series is boosted
further by its Smart Temperature Control oil
cooling system. This innovative technology The world’s most sustainable
combines multiple parameters such motor
speed, ambient temperature and humidity to compressor
ensure that the compressor always runs at the
optimal temperature. As a result, it eliminates The “s” in VSDˢ does not stand for “sustainability,” but it might as well. That’s because the new
compressor series from Atlas Copco is the world’s most sustainable and can help you meet your
climate goals.

First and foremost, there are the unprecedented energy savings. They won’t just reduce your
operating costs but also your environmental footprint. And, because compressing air requires so
much energy, that will make a massive difference in your eco balance.

However, the VSDˢ series does a lot more than “just” reduce your energy consumption – it was
designed with sustainability as a guiding principle.

For example, it uses a minimal number of components and features an IE5 motor with sustainably
sourced materials.

optimal temperature. As a result, it eliminates
the risk of condensation completely. The STC
system makes the VSDS truly unique: It is the
only compressor hat can measure the ambient
conditions and then adapt its operation based on
them.
Then there is the “Boost Flow Mode,” which
allows you to safely exceed the maximum
capacity of the compressor when you need it
most.
Finally, VSDS compressors come with the latest
high-end connectivity features that allow you to
,
high-end connectivity features that allow you to
remotely monitor your compressor. In addition,
the latest-generation compressors are OPC UA
enabled to be able to “talk” with your other
manufacturing equipment more easily. You can
find out more about OPC UA below.
 .
find out more about OPC UA below.

The result of these innovations is a compressor

that excels in the four key areas of efficiency,
reliability, connectivity and sustainability.
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OPC UA – Making
sure nothing gets
lost in translation
 The GA VSDS range from Atlas
Copco is the world’s first
compressor series that is OPC UA
enabled.

The acronym stands for Open

Platform Communications Unified
Architecture,
which is a machine-to-machine communication
protocol developed specifically for industrial
automation

In addition to helping things run more smoothly,

OPC UA also offers additional benefits, such as
greater security through various encryption
levels and authentication protocols, as well as
auditing and user control features that provide
the security that mission-critical systems require.

Finally, the use of this technology will simplify

data collection from different machines to
optimize your operation
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The future of VSD is

smart

Connectivity features are a
relatively recent addition to
compressor technology. However,
they are already playing a crucial
role in ensuring that users get the
most out of their compressors.
This is especially true in the case of
the new VSD generations from Atlas
Copco.
For example, in the past, operators had to be
physically present. The SMARTLINK remote
monitoring system allows users to keep an eye
on their compressor at any time from just about
anywhere on the globe.
All you need is an internet connection and a
mobile device to optimize the compressor’s
performance and safeguard its reliability.
In addition, the Elektronikon® Touch controller,
which comes standard with the new VSD
generations, allows you to detect small issues
in your compressor early on and address them
before they become big, costly problems.
before they become big, costly problems.
The system will even alert you and offer advice
on what to do.
In this way, these new connectivity capabilities
provide an additional boost to the compressor’s
already outstanding efficiency and reliability.
Speaking of a boost …
VSDS compressors come with an intelligent
Boost Flow Mode and a limp mode. The former
Boost Flow Mode and a limp mode. The former
allows you to meet a surge in demand by
temporarily exceeding the compressor’s
maximum capacity without harming the unit or
stopping production. Limp mode ensures the
compressor keeps working even when
something is wrong. Both features are an
important safeguard to avoid expensive
shutdowns.
VSD = Very Solid Decision
No matter which way you look at it – from
efficiency, reliability, connectivity and
sustainability – VSD compressors deliver.
And if you are one of the nearly 90% of
compressed air users with fluctuating air
demand, you should look into how you can put
one to work for you.
Calculate your VSDs/VSD⁺
⁺ energy savings yourself!
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Atlas Copco’s VSD

Compressors
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