AC drives used together with electric motors can offer a significant amount of process improvements and energy savings for equipment used in dusty environments such as fans, pumps, and other.  These advantages are the same as those achieved in applications in ordinary, non-hazardous areas.  There are a number of ways to safely run AC drives and electric motors in dusty environments.

Electric motors with low voltage AC drives can be installed in hazardous areas, seeing as they offer safe, economical power combined with effective control.  However, it should be noted that the AC drives must always be installed in a safe area.  It is also important to recognize the effects that the AC drives have on the electric motor, mainly to prevent motor surface over-temperature.  The temperature of the electric motor can be controlled through the use of a temperature measurement signal from the motor and subsequently use this signal to initiate shut-down at high temperature.  The alternative is to monitor the amount of energy transferred to the electric motor and thus control the temperature this way; the energy flow can easily be monitored if using a low voltage AC drive with the motor control platform DTC (direct torque control).  Otherwise, a combined test with the electric motor and low voltage AC drive is necessary to ensure that the motor surface temperature does not go beyond the limits.  The possibility also exists to purchase a Parker Hannifin approved package with electric motor and low voltage AC drive.