Unit 4. Part 1selection of Electric Motor
Unit 4. Part 1selection of Electric Motor
Unit 4. Part 1selection of Electric Motor
• Based on their assembly, electric drives are classified into the following categories
• Group Drive
• Individual Drive
• Multi-motor drive
Group drive
When several machines are organized on a single shaft and are driven by a single
large motor, this system is known as group drive. Group drive is also known as line
shaft drive because a large sized motor (called main motor) drives a common shaft.
To the common shaft, a number of small machines are connected by means of
multi-stepped pulleys.
The following figure shows the block diagram of group drive.
Advantages of Group Drive
• The advantages of group drives include the following −
• As group drive uses a large sized single motor, so there is considerable
saving in cost.
• Group drive has low maintenance cost.
• In case of group drive, the overload occurring for main motor is very
less.
• When the main motor operates near rated capacity, then the power
factor and efficiency of the group drive be better.
Disadvantages of Group Drive
• The disadvantages of group drives include the following −
• If there is a fault in main motor, then it causes stopping of all the small machines.
• In group drive, the small machines have to be installed at places which is
convenient for shafting.
• .In group drive, the speed control of individual small machine is not possible.
• In case of group drive, high amount of power is wasted in power transmission (in
pulleys, etc.).
• In group drive, future expansion is not possible.
• When only a few number of machines are required to be operated, then the main
motor operates with a very less capacity. Thus, its power factor and efficiency be
poor.
• The layout of group drive is fixed and cannot be change. Also, appearance of
layout is not good.
• Noise produced by group drives is high.
Applications of Group Drive
The main applications of group drives are listed below −
• Grain processing industries.
• Food grinding mills.
• Paper mills.
• Textile mills.
• Workshops, etc.
Individual Electric Drive
• When an individual machine is fitted with its own electric motor, then
the electric drive is known as individual electric drive. In case of
individual electric drive, each operator has complete control on his
machine.
• The block diagram of the individual drive is shown in the following
figure.
Comparison of group drive and individual drive
Advantages of Individual Drive
• The most prominent advantages of using an individual electric drives
are as follows −
• It is possible to control the speed of individual machine easily.
• These drives produce comparatively less noise.
• Future expansion is possible.
• Individual drives have good appearance and flexibility in the layout.
• In case of individual drive, fault on any one machine does not create
problem for other machines.
• Individual drive is economical in long-term.
• As in case of individual drive, each machine operates near to rated
capacity, so the power factor and efficiency are better.
Disadvantages of Individual Drive
• Following are the disadvantages of using individual electric drives −
• The initial cost of individual drive is high.
• There is power loss in transmission system equipment such as gears,
pulleys, etc.
Applications of Individual Drive
• Individual drives are used in −
• Drill machines,
• Lathe machines, etc.
Multi-motor Drive
• A mechanism in which separate motors are used for operating
different parts of the same machine is known as a multi-motor
electric drive.
• The block diagram of a multi motor drive is shown in the figure below.
Advantages of multi-motor Drive
• The advantages of multi-motor electric drive are listed below −
• Multi-motor drives provide better control of process.
• With the help of multi-motor drives, a complicated process can be
automated.
• In a multi-motor drive, each machine is driven by a separate motor.
Hence it can be individually started and stopped as desired.
• In multi-motor drives, the absence of belts and line shafts greatly
reduces the power loss and risk of accidents.
• The layout of multi-motor drive is flexible in the installation of
different machines
Disadvantages of Multi-motor Drive
• The disadvantages of multi-motor drives include the following −
• Multi-motor drives involve high initial cost.
• The maintenance of one motor causes disturbance to the entire
process
Applications of Multi-motor Drive
• Multi-motor drives are used in −
• Lifts
• Cranes
• Long travel motion applications.
• Cross travel motion applications, etc.