VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE SOLUTIONS
VSD PANELS FOR PUMP, IRRIGATION & MOTOR CONTROL
Practical variable speed drive panels designed to give you better control over pumps, irrigation systems and electric motors.
Power Factor Systems supplies a range of VSD panels for agricultural, irrigation and industrial applications. By controlling motor speed according to the requirements of the application, a variable speed drive can provide controlled starting and stopping, pressure and flow control, and more responsive operation of pump and motor systems.
UNDERSTANDING VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL
WHAT IS A VSD PANEL?
A VSD panel combines a variable speed drive with the electrical control and protection required to manage how a motor or pump operates.
CONTROL THE PROCESS.
CONTROL THAT RESPONDS TO THE APPLICATION
Electric motors connected directly to the power supply generally operate at their designed speed whenever they are running. A variable speed drive gives the control system the ability to change motor speed according to the requirements of the application.
In a pumping system, this means the motor driving the pump can respond to changing operating requirements rather than simply running at one fixed speed.
Combined with the appropriate sensors and control equipment, a VSD can be used to manage variables such as pressure or flow and provide controlled acceleration and deceleration of the motor.
The VSD is only one part of the solution. The panel brings the drive, electrical control, protection and application-specific functions together into a practical control system.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE
FROM CONTROL INPUT TO SYSTEM OUTPUT
CONTROL INPUT
A pressure transducer, control signal or programmed operating requirement provides information to the control system.
VSD PANEL
The panel uses the control requirement to manage the variable speed drive and the operation of the connected motor.
MOTOR & PUMP
Motor speed can be adjusted rather than operating only at full speed whenever the system is running.
CONTROLLED OUTPUT
The system can respond to changing pressure, flow or other operating requirements within the configured application.
WHY VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL?
CONTROL THE SYSTEM AROUND WHAT IT ACTUALLY NEEDS
Pumping and motor applications do not always operate under one fixed set of conditions. Variable speed control allows the motor to respond to changing system requirements instead of simply running at full speed whenever it is switched on.
PRESSURE CONTROL
In pump applications, the VSD can respond to pressure feedback and adjust motor speed as system demand changes. This allows the control system to work towards the configured pressure requirement.
FLOW MANAGEMENT
Where the process requires changing flow conditions, variable speed operation provides another way of controlling pump output by adjusting the speed of the motor driving the pump.
CONTROLLED STARTING & STOPPING
Rather than taking the motor immediately from stopped to full operating speed, a VSD can accelerate and decelerate the motor in a controlled manner.
REDUCED HYDRAULIC SHOCK
Controlled acceleration and deceleration can help reduce sudden changes in water velocity that contribute to hydraulic shock or water hammer in pumping and irrigation systems.
PROCESS CONTROL
Sensors, control inputs and programmed settings can be used with the VSD panel to make motor operation part of a wider automated pump, irrigation or process-control system.
MATCHED TO THE APPLICATION
The real advantage comes from configuring the drive and control system around the pump, motor and process it needs to manage — rather than treating every installation as the same.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER IN A PUMPING SYSTEM?
Water demand can change as irrigation blocks open and close, operating conditions change or different parts of a system are brought online. The pump therefore does not necessarily need to deliver exactly the same output throughout every operating cycle.
Variable speed control gives the system a way to respond. Instead of relying only on fixed-speed operation, motor speed can form part of the control strategy used to manage the required operating conditions.
FIND THE RIGHT CONTROL SOLUTION
EXPLORE THE PFS VSD RANGE
From compact pump control to advanced irrigation and fertigation applications, the PFS range provides different levels of control for different operating requirements.
Explore the seven VSD panel options below, then view the individual product page for more detailed specifications, features and application information.
MAXI+
ADVANCED CONTROLAdvanced VSD control for demanding pump and irrigation applications where greater system functionality and control flexibility are required.
View MAXI+
MAXI AS
AUTOMATED CONTROLA floor-standing VSD control solution for pump and irrigation systems requiring automated, application-focused operation.
View MAXI AS
MAXI JNR
VERSATILE CONTROLA practical VSD panel option for pump and irrigation applications requiring capable control in a streamlined floor-standing solution.
View MAXI JNR
STANDARD
ESSENTIAL CONTROLStraightforward variable speed control for pump and motor applications where dependable core VSD functionality is the priority.
View Standard
DELTA MINI
COMPACT CONTROLA compact VSD panel for applications where straightforward pump or motor control is required in a smaller control solution.
View Delta Mini
FERT PRO
FERTIGATION CONTROLA specialised control solution for agricultural applications where irrigation and fertigation management form part of the operating requirement.
View Fert Pro
HIMEL
PRACTICAL VSD CONTROLA practical VSD panel option for pump and motor control applications, providing variable speed operation in a robust floor-standing control solution.
View HimelNOT SURE WHICH PANEL YOU NEED?
START WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
Tell us about your pump, motor, pressure, flow or irrigation requirements and the PFS team can help identify the most suitable control solution.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VSD PANEL
START WITH THE APPLICATION
Choosing a VSD panel is not simply about choosing a model. The right solution depends on the motor, pump, operating conditions and the level of control your system requires.
BEFORE WE SPECIFY THE PANEL
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO DO.
Two installations may both use a variable speed drive, but their control requirements can be completely different. A pump supplying an irrigation system, a pressure-controlled water system and an industrial motor application do not necessarily require the same panel configuration.
That is why PFS starts with the application and works back to the control solution.
USEFUL INFORMATION TO HAVE READY
WHAT SHOULD YOU TELL US?
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Motor details
Motor size, electrical supply and available motor information.
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Pump information
The pump being controlled and how it is used within the system.
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Operating requirement
What the system needs to achieve in terms of pressure, flow or process operation.
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Control requirements
Any automation, irrigation, scheduling, sensors or external control requirements.
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Power source
The available electrical supply and whether solar-assist capability forms part of the application.
MOTOR & POWER
Motor size and electrical supply are fundamental to selecting and configuring the correct variable speed drive and panel.
PUMP & SYSTEM
The pump, pipework and wider hydraulic system determine what the control system needs to manage during operation.
PRESSURE & FLOW
The required pressure or flow conditions help determine how the motor needs to respond as system demand changes.
LEVEL OF CONTROL
Some applications need straightforward variable speed operation. Others require sensors, programmed operation, irrigation control or additional automation.
APPLICATION
Irrigation, agricultural pumping and industrial motor control each place different demands on the control system.
SOLAR ASSIST
Where solar-assist operation forms part of the application, this needs to be considered when selecting the panel. Solar-assist capability is available on selected PFS VSD models.
NEED SOLAR-ASSIST CAPABILITY?
MAXI+, MAXI AS, MAXI JNR, Standard and Fert Pro can be considered for solar-assist applications. Delta Mini and Himel are not solar-assist capable.
NEED HELP SPECIFYING YOUR PANEL?
SEND US YOUR APPLICATION DETAILS.
Give the PFS team the information you have available. We can work through the application with you and help determine the most appropriate VSD control solution.
BUILT AROUND REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS
WHERE ARE VSD PANELS USED?
Variable speed control can be applied wherever motor speed needs to respond to the operating requirements of a pump, irrigation system or industrial process.
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Irrigation demand can change as different blocks, valves or sections of a system are brought into operation. Variable speed control allows pump operation to form part of the strategy used to manage those changing conditions.
- Changing irrigation demand
- Pressure-controlled pumping
- Automated irrigation operation
AGRICULTURAL PUMPING
Agricultural water systems often need reliable pump control across changing operating conditions. A VSD panel can combine variable speed operation with the control functions required by the application.
- Farm water systems
- Transfer and supply pumps
- Application-specific pump control
FERTIGATION
Where irrigation and fertiliser application need to operate as part of one controlled process, the system requires more than basic motor speed control. PFS provides a dedicated Fert Pro solution for these applications.
- Irrigation applications
- Fertigation control
- Agricultural process management
PRESSURE CONTROL
Pressure feedback can be used by the control system to adjust pump speed as demand changes, making variable speed control useful in applications where pressure is an important operating requirement.
- Pressure feedback
- Changing system demand
- Controlled pump response
INDUSTRIAL MOTOR CONTROL
Variable speed drives are also used in industrial applications where motor speed, controlled starting and stopping, or integration with a wider control process is required.
- Electric motor control
- Controlled acceleration
- Process integration
SOLAR-ASSIST APPLICATIONS
Selected PFS VSD panels can be used where solar-assist capability forms part of the pumping application. The electrical supply and operating requirements need to be considered when specifying the solution.
- Selected PFS models
- Agricultural pumping
- Application-specific configuration
THE IMPORTANT PART
THE VSD PANEL SHOULD FIT THE SYSTEM — NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
The same panel configuration will not suit every pump, irrigation system or motor application. PFS considers the equipment, operating conditions and required control functions before recommending a solution.
Discuss Your ApplicationSELECTED PFS VSD PANELS
SOLAR-ASSIST CAPABILITY
Where solar power forms part of a pumping application, selected PFS VSD panels can be configured for solar-assist operation.
POWER SOURCE + CONTROL + APPLICATION
Solar capability needs to be considered as part of the complete pumping and control application when the system is specified.
BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENT
SOLAR ASSIST IS PART OF THE APPLICATION — NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
When solar forms part of the available power source, the VSD panel needs to be selected with that operating requirement in mind.
PFS offers solar-assist capability on selected models within the VSD range, allowing the control solution to be specified around the pump, motor, available power and operating requirements of the installation.
Not every PFS VSD panel includes this capability. If solar assist is required, it is important to identify this when the system is being specified.
Include your motor, pump and available power information when requesting a quote so that PFS can assess the application correctly.
PFS VSD RANGE
WHICH PANELS ARE SOLAR-ASSIST CAPABLE?
SOLAR-ASSIST PUMP CONTROL
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PUMPING APPLICATION.
Share the pump, motor and power information you have available and the PFS team can help identify an appropriate VSD panel for the application.
VSD PANEL QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Understanding the application is the first step towards choosing the right variable speed drive panel. These are some of the questions customers commonly have when considering VSD control for pumps, irrigation systems and electric motors.
01
WHAT IS A VSD PANEL?
A VSD panel combines a variable speed drive with the electrical control and protection required to operate a motor or pump. The drive controls motor speed, while the wider panel provides the control system needed for the application.
02
HOW DOES A VSD CONTROL A PUMP?
A variable speed drive controls the electrical frequency supplied to the motor, allowing the motor and pump to operate at different speeds. The control system can then use this variable speed operation to respond to the requirements of the pumping application.
03
CAN A VSD MAINTAIN CONSTANT PRESSURE?
A VSD control system can use pressure feedback from suitable instrumentation to adjust pump speed as system demand changes. When correctly specified and configured, this allows the system to work towards a set pressure requirement.
04
CAN PFS VSD PANELS BE USED FOR IRRIGATION?
Yes. Irrigation and agricultural pumping are important applications within the PFS VSD range. The appropriate panel depends on the pump, motor, irrigation layout and level of control or automation required.
05
WHICH PFS VSD PANEL DO I NEED?
The right panel depends on the application rather than the product name alone. PFS considers factors such as motor size, pump information, electrical supply, required pressure or flow, irrigation requirements, automation and whether solar-assist capability is needed.
The PFS range includes MAXI+, MAXI AS, MAXI JNR, Standard, Delta Mini, Fert Pro and Himel panels for different control requirements.
06
CAN A VSD PANEL HELP REDUCE WATER HAMMER?
Controlled acceleration and deceleration can help reduce sudden changes in water velocity associated with abrupt pump starting and stopping. This can help reduce hydraulic shock or water hammer within a suitably designed pumping system.
07
CAN A PFS VSD PANEL WORK WITH SOLAR POWER?
Selected PFS VSD panels are solar-assist capable. MAXI+, MAXI AS, MAXI JNR, Standard and Fert Pro can be considered where solar-assist operation forms part of the application.
Delta Mini and Himel are not solar-assist capable. Tell PFS that solar assist is required when the system is being specified.
08
WHAT INFORMATION DOES PFS NEED TO SPECIFY A VSD PANEL?
Start with the motor and pump information you have available. It is also useful to provide details about the electrical supply, required pressure or flow, how the system operates, irrigation or automation requirements and whether solar-assist capability is required.
If you do not have every detail, contact PFS with the information you do have and the team can work through the application with you.
09
ARE VSD PANELS ONLY USED FOR PUMPS?
No. Pump and irrigation control are major PFS applications, but variable speed drives can also be used for industrial electric motor control where variable motor speed, controlled starting and stopping or integration with a wider control process is required.
10
DOES PFS SUPPLY VSD PANELS OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA?
Yes. Power Factor Systems is based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga and supplies customers across South Africa as well as African markets. Contact the PFS team with your location and application requirements to discuss your project.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
TALK TO THE PFS TEAM ABOUT YOUR APPLICATION.
Whether you already know which VSD panel you need or you are starting with the pump and motor details, we can help you work through the application.
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR APPLICATION
READY TO FIND THE RIGHT VSD SOLUTION?
Tell us about your pump, motor or application requirements and the Power Factor Systems team will help you identify the right VSD panel and control solution.