Ways to decrease losses in electric drives and improvement of electrical safety during their service

Abstract

A list of recommendations to increase the energy efficiency of an electric drive by decreasing the total losses has been given. Three ways in which an energy-saving drive can be developed have been differentiated. The first approach is improvement of conventional solutions. This can be achieved by means of using new high-quality active materials in electric machines and by optimization of their power circuits. The second approach is a systematic approach to designing and taking into account the combined work of all the components of an electric drive. In this case, improvement entails development of new types of electric drives, such as switched reluctance drives, electric drives with a field-regulated reluctance machine, and others. New solutions actively use the advantages of control and power electronics. The third approach provides improvement of both the existing solutions and taking into account the combined work of a semiconductor converter and motor. Using the example of an electric drive with a field-regulated reluctance machine, calculations of total losses have been carried out and ways to decrease losses by means of choosing efficient control laws for stator currents and power transfer circuits have been demonstrated. Recommendations that allow improvement of the electrical safety of technical personnel who service electrical systems have also been suggested.