KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
YEAR 3 SEMESTER 1
electromechanical drives
Assignment 1
GROUP 7 MEMBERS.
Lecturer : Mr. Kyoma Asiimwe Paul
NUMBER NAME. REGISTRATION NO.
.
01 ASIKU WESLY 21/U/BET/16428/PE
02 OJIAMBO LAMECH 21/U/BET/16807/PE
03 OCHANA EMMANUEL 21/U/BEL/16789/PD
04 AKERA EMMANUEL 21/U/BET/16382/PE
05 ISABIRYE KAKAIRE 22/U/BEL/1437/PD
GODFREY
06 ROM ISAAC AYERE 21/U/BET/16864/PE
07 MUYANJA DERRICK 21/U/BEL/16688/PD
08 AKADAKI JULIUS 22/U/BET/1214/PE
09 NATUHWERA 20/U/BET/7600/PE
SOLOMON
10 IGOMBE ISAAC 21/U/BEL/16507/PD
Write short notes on the classification of electrical drives based on power supply, number of
motors, speed and control parameters
Classification according to Power supply
AC Drives: Utilize alternating current (AC) power supply for motor operation. Widely used due
to the readily available AC power grids and simpler motor design compared to DC motors.
Example: Industrial fan driven by an AC induction motor.
DC Drives: Utilize direct current (DC) power supply for motor operation. Offer better speed
control and torque characteristics but require conversion from AC to DC using rectifiers or
inverters.
Example: Electric vehicle using a DC motor controlled by a DC-DC converter and inverter.
Classification according to number of motors
Single Motor Drives: Utilize a single motor to drive the load. Suitable for simpler applications
where one motor can fulfill the required operation.
Example include: Washing machine with a single motor driving the agitator and spinner, power
tool drill, fan.
Multi-Motor Drives: Utilize multiple motors to drive the load, often for complex machines or
those requiring independent control of different functionalities.
Example include: CNC machine with separate motors for each axis movement and a spindle
motor for the cutting tool, hybrid electric vehicle.
Group motors: These are used to control a group of motors that operate in a coordinated
manner.
Examples include; conveyor belts and cranes.
Classification according to speed
Constant Speed Drives: Maintain a constant speed regardless of load variations. Used in
applications where precise and consistent speed is required.
Example: Conveyor belt driven by an AC induction motor controlled by a fixed-frequency
supply.
Variable Speed Drives: Allow for adjustments in motor speed based on load or other control
parameters. Offer greater flexibility and efficiency compared to constant speed drives.
Example: Robot arm with DC motors controlled by variable voltage or pulse width modulation
(PWM) techniques, allowing for precise positioning and movement control.
Classification according to control parameters
Vector control
This is an advanced control technique that provides precise control over both
the speed and torque of the motor.
It involves measuring and manipulating various electrical quantities from the motor to achieve
the desired performance. Vector control technique offers the following advantages;
High accuracy and dynamic performance
Improved efficiency
Reduced torque pulsations
It is commonly used in applications that require high precision control such as robotics, traction
drives etc.
Constant power drive
In this type of drive, the electrical power delivered to the motor remains constant regardless of
the motor's speed
This is achieved by adjusting the motor's voltage and current accordingly.
Constant power drives are beneficial in applications where maintaining a consistent power output
is crucial, such as wind turbines, centrifugal pumps, compressors and some types of conveyors.
Constant torque drive.
As the name suggests, this drive maintains a constant torque output from the motor
even when the speed varies.
This is achieved by controlling the motor's current to compensate for changes in speed.
Constant torque drives are suitable for applications requiring a steady pulling force,
such as hoists, cranes, winches and extruders.
Disadvantages of electrical drives
1. Higher Initial Cost
Compared to simpler mechanical drives, the initial cost of setting up an electrical drive system
can be higher. This includes the cost of the motor, control electronics, and associated
components like drives and sensors.
2. Power Conversion Losses
In some cases, electrical drives involve conversions between AC and DC power, which can
introduce energy losses due to the inefficiencies of power converters like rectifiers and inverters.
3. Maintenance Requirements
While generally considered low-maintenance compared to combustion engines, electrical drives
still require routine maintenance and periodic replacement of components like brushes in DC
motors or bearings in all motor types.
4. Susceptibility to Power Fluctuations
Electrical drives are dependent on a reliable and stable power supply. Voltage fluctuations or
power outages can disrupt their operation and potentially damage sensitive components.
5. Complex Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting issues in electrical drives, especially those involving control systems, can be
more complex compared to simpler mechanical systems. This may require specialized
knowledge and skills.
6. Limited Overload Capacity
Compared to some internal combustion engines, electrical motors typically have lower overload
capacities. This means they might not be suitable for applications requiring sudden or sustained
bursts of high power beyond their rated capacity.
7. Environmental Considerations:
While generally considered more environmentally friendly than combustion engines, the
production and disposal of some electrical drive components, especially batteries in electric
vehicles, can raise environmental concerns.
8. Noise Generation:
Although quieter than combustion engines, some electrical drives, particularly AC induction
motors, can generate audible noise due to magnetic forces and mechanical components like
gears.
9. Limited Availability in Remote Locations:
In remote locations with limited access to reliable power grids, the viability of using electrical
drives might be hindered compared to using readily available fuels for combustion engines.
10. Potential for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
In some cases, the operation of electrical drives, particularly when using high switching
frequencies, can generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might affect other electronic
devices nearby. This needs to be considered in sensitive applications.
