Demand more clean power.
The CPX series of variable frequency drives uses advanced 18-pulse clean power technology that significantly reduces line harmonics at the drive input terminals – resulting in one of the purest sinusoidal waveforms available. They prevent upstream transformers from overheating and overloading, enabling the application of generators and other high-impedance systems.
Technology |
Eaton VFD type |
How it works |
Typical THD |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inductive reactors |
EGS |
Mitigates higher-order harmonics by providing high input impedance that limits high-frequency currents. | 33-38 % |
Low-cost, simple application |
Low effectiveness Voltage drop concerns |
12-pulse converters |
HCX |
Two parallel 6-pulse converters fed by parallel isolation transformer paths, phase shifted by 30°, which mitigates 5th and 7th order harmonics. Input impedance also mitigates higher-order harmonics. | 12-18 % |
Simple to apply Extremely robust |
Not as effective as other methods Relatively high cost compared to passive filter |
Passive filters |
Provides high input impedance for higher-order harmonics and a shunt-tuned reactor and capacitor to mitigate 5th and 7th harmonics. | 6-8 % |
Simple retrofit Low cost for performance Insensitive to voltage balance |
Challenges with generator design Power factor issues Less robust than 18-pulse |
|
18-pulse converters |
CPX |
Three parallel 6-pulse converters fed by a single-phase shifting autotransformer, phase shifted by 20° to cancel all harmonics below the 17th. Input impedance also mitigates higher-order harmonics. | 3-6 % |
Simple to apply Extremely robust |
Higher cost on small HP |
Active Front End drives |
RGX |
IGBT-based front end pulls relatively linear power from the line and uses a L-C-L filter to mitigate the IGBT switching noise. | 3-5 % |
Slightly higher efficiency Immune to voltage imbalance Regeneration capability |
High cost, not as robust as 18-pulse |