Variable frequency drives create harmonics on both sides of the motor circuit: distorted current at the input and a PWM waveform at the output that the motor was never built to handle. Mechanical engineers usually see the fallout as bearing fluting, blackened grease, and cable failures, while electrical engineers trace it back to common mode voltage, reflected waves, and IEEE-519 compliance. This webinar connects the two, showing how each mechanism drives the damage and which mitigation on either side of the drive can actually fix it.
Overview
Variable frequency drives create harmonics on both sides of the motor circuit. The rectifier draws distorted current, showing up at the point of common coupling. The inverter produces a PWM waveform the motor was never designed for, introducing common mode voltage and reflected waves. These mechanisms are responsible for bearing fluting, blackened grease, and cracked cable insulation.
This webinar connects both sides of that picture, tracing how each harmonic mechanism forms and matching it to the physical evidence it leaves behind. It explains how to tell whether a failure started on the input or output side of the drive. This webinar also covers applying IEEE-519 correctly, including TDD versus THD, and why compliance is a system-level requirement rather than an equipment-level one. It will clear up why cable length affects insulation stress but has little to do with bearing damage.
Electrical issues don't stay electrical. They show up as the mechanical failures already being problem-solved. This webinar helps you see the ful- picture, no matter which side it's approached from. Take home a practical way to match mitigation to mechanism, whether involving reactors, chokes, harmonic filters, dV/dt and sinewave filters, and knowledge on how to write it into a spec that survives value engineering.
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Key Takeaways
- Learn what power quality is and how it can impact a system from end-to-end
- Recognize the physical evidence of poor power quality on equipment
- Understand why IEEE-519 is important and how to ensure compliance
- Review available solutions to mitigate specific power quality issues encountered in different industries
Speakers
Aisha Bajwa joined MTE in 2023 and provides technical and sales support across U.S. and international markets. She has a robust background in the electrical power industry and specializes in consultative sales, problem-solving, and value creation for clients. Bajwa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and brings a strong focus on delivering innovative solutions and educational support to meet complex customer needs.
Sarah Woods has been an Applications Engineer at MTE Corporation for over seven years. Along with providing technical support to customers such as selection, sizing, and troubleshooting, she also conducts training sessions and detailed product demonstrations to MTE distributors, OEMs, and end users. Woods has also authored several technical articles and application notes about MTE’s products. She earned her BS in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in power and energy from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.