placeholder content

eServicePro Login eServicePro Login

Electrical Conduit

CANADIAN VFD CABLE SELECTION

  •  

Importance of Specifying the Right Cable System for VFD Applications in Canada

Written April 2020 | Mel Meineke, Director Strategic Accounts - Americas at Service Wire Company

The increased adoption of variable frequency drives (VFDs) over the past decade has increased the need for specifically engineered wire and cable solutions that ensure long-term performance. To avoid costly downtime, diagnosis, and repair of these critical operations, it is important to specify cable systems designed to address motor bearing failure, cable failure, stray current, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). 
 

Importance of Cable Selection for VFDs

The higher switching speeds of VFDs inherently generate more high frequency currents that inevitably get radiated through the power cable damaging control systems and mechanical parts. To avoid these issues, an electrically balanced, copper tape shielded cable with NFPA 79 compliant crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation is the best solution to maximize drive performance.
 

Independent lab and field-testing by prominent manufacturing companies have proven that the ServiceDrive® VFD Tray Cable System is the best solution available. However, there are several less effective wiring methods commonly used for VFD applications that cannot provide the complete protection for commercial or industrial applications.
 

Cable Constructions Commonly Used for VFD Applications

Single and Multiconductor Thermoplastic Insulated Cables Cables insulated with thermoplastic insulation (like THHN-2/THWN-2) cannot withstand the voltage spikes associated with VFDs. These spikes result in hotspots and pinholes in the insulation, allowing arcing across wires or grounded surfaces. High quality thermoset insulated shielded cables are critical for VFD applications because of the higher dielectric strength, impedance characteristics, and physical properties. Copper tape shielding provides a smooth surface with a low impedance path for the high frequency noise or common mode stray currents.
 
Continuously Welded Aluminum Armor

Continuously welded armor cable relies on aluminum as armor and the shield. However, a copper shield with proper termination provides a superior low impedance, low resistance path, allowing the current to flow back out of the system on a controlled path and avoiding damage to motor bearings and sensitive electronics. A flat copper tape shield with 50% overlap has been proven to be the best solution, providing better flexibility and ease of installation.
 

Braided Tray Cable

Braided tray cable presents additional issues that adversely impact performance in VFD applications. These cable designs will typically use an aluminum-backed mylar wrap, which has increased electrical resistance when compared to copper. Because the braid can only offer a percentage of total coverage and braid strands move when the cable is installed with bends, these gaps allow EMI to radiate and provide a less than desirable return path for high frequency currents, compounding the risk to the motor and surrounding equipment. By contrast, a flat copper tape shield with 50% overlap can be bent around corners during installation and maintain full electrical containment. 

ServiceDrive® Solution

The ServiceDrive® VFD Tray Cable System is the only complete solution for issues commonly associate with VFD applications. The system consists of insulated cable with three NFPA 79 compliant XLPE conductors and three balanced grounds, 5-mil copper tape shield, and matching self-terminating connectors and termination kits.
 

  • The heavy-duty flat copper tape shield is helically applied over the cable core with 50% overlap, ensuring full electrical containment of EMI emissions at all points even when the cable is bent.
     
  • The conductor and ground configuration and overall copper tape shield provide the best low impedance return path for stray currents.
     
  • The thermoset insulation is engineered to withstand voltage spikes, hotspots, and pinholes, preventing premature cable failure.

RECAP:

When specifying cable systems for VFD applications, it is important to select an electrically balanced, copper tape shielded cable with XLPE insulation. This design will:

  • Reduce EMI
  • Provide a low impedance return path
  • Reliably withstand high voltage spikes

However, lesser cable constructions are used that can’t provide the protection required for VFDs.

Unshielded single and multiconductor cable does not address any of the issues associated with VFDs. Continuously welded armor relies on aluminum as a shield, instead of copper. Braided tray cable only offers a percentage of total coverage, allowing stray currents to occur.

The ServiceDrive® VFD Tray Cable System is the only off-the-shelf complete solution. The cable is made of thermoset insulation, and the conductor and ground configuration with overall copper tape shield provides the best low impedance return path.

 

VFD Teck90 RWU90/CPE

ARMORED VFD CABLE SOLUTION

Looking for armoured cable for your VFD application? Service Wire's line of Teck90 designed cable is C(UL) approved for VFD applications in Canada. The cable combines aluminum interlocked armour with an inner and outer jacket to deliver a rugged, compact, and flexible cable that resists corrosion, water, and mechanical abuse.
 

The cable core consists of three copper conductors, stranded and insulated with thermoset XLPE insulation (type RW90 or RWU90), phase identified and cabled together with suitable fillers and three symmetrical copper ground conductors. The core is covered with mylar binder tape, a 5-mil helical copper tape shield, inner jacket, armour, and overall outer jacket.

 


 

OTHER ARTICLES:

2018 NFPA 79 Requirements
by Lee Perry | September 2018

ISO 9001:2015
What's the Difference?
by Katy Martin | January 2019

 

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:

*Name:

*Company:

*Email:

*Question:

*Indicates Required Field

Related Products:

Please wait while we gather your results.
 

CONTACT US

*Indicates Required Field

*Your Name:

*Email:

*Phone Number (with Area Code):

*Company:

*Market:

Message: