DC drives for shunt AND series field motors?

[eeinpa]

I'm looking at various (used) DC drives for use in a motor test shop. A typical example is the A-B 1395. I'm also seeing a lot of big GE drives on the used market. I haven't found much applications info on any of these drives and am unclear whether they will typically support series field motors (e.g. traction motors). The example installations generally show shunt field motors.

I know the Cutler Hammer "Responder DDC" is designed specifically for series motors in crane and similar applications, but I really don't wish to have two drives, one for series and one for shunt.

One applications guy I talked to said his company's drives would support either, but he was pretty vague on what was required.

Can anyone shed any light on the issue? Anyone know anything about these used GE drives? All I find on their website is newer stuff marketed as "TMGE" brand, and no legacy docs that I can find. Thanks!

 

[Skogsgurra]

The only problem I see when you want to use an "ordinary" DC drive with a series field motor is that the field supervision circuit may protest against not seeing a field winding. That can be solved in many ways;there is usually a parameter available to "mask away" that error bit, you can connect a dummy load (like incandescent lamps). Or you just fool the hardware some way.

As you are aware, running a series field motor needs some precautions so you do not overspeed it. But that's another story and something you have to handle anyhow.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

 

[eeinpa]

Ok, creating a "fake field" with a load resistor seemed like the reasonable solution. I imagine I can program a low field current with most of these drives (I have had trouble downloading manuals, due to rather large sizes).

Further thoughts or personal experiences welcome!

Thanks

 

[Skogsgurra]

Don't try anything without the right manual. You may even have to buy one! But we don't want that scenario. Do we?

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

 

[eeinpa]

I don't have any problem buying a manual if it is for a drive, softstart, etc. which I buy. It is not practical to purchase manuals for every drive or soft start which is for sale on ebay, etc. to see if it is suitable for my intended purposes, however!

 

[TomG33]

You should be able to find manuals for most GE Drives.
What is the type DC2000 or silcomatic, or whatever. Supply some detalis and I will give you a link,

Tom G

 

[JERRYROBINSON]

Typically in your application you would have to have 3 supplies.

A variable high current and voltage supply for the armature, a second low current variable supply for shunt field supply, and a high current low voltage supply for the series field.

What I have seen work well for the series supply is a plating rectifier.

 

[ScottyUK]

Jerry,

Why would you want a separate source for the series field? It is, as the name implies, connected in series with the armature. I have never seen a series machine connected as a separately excited machine - why do you think it would be necessary? A high current micro-ohmmeter and a megger is all that should be required to test the series field.


----------------------------------

Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...

 

[DickDV]

I believe that the AB 1395 is a duplicate of the Reliance FlexPak3000. I'm guessing that a manual for one would cover either model.

I've not had direct experience with the AB version but the Reliance drive is most excellent. And, yes, a simple resistor or series of light bulbs to fool the field regulator would be all you would need.