The drive as a sensor

VLT frequency converters of the FC 102, 202 and 302 series from Danfoss are now optionally equipped with a condition-based monitoring (CBM) function. This allows you to use your drive as an intelligent sensor to monitor the condition of your motor and application. This allows you to detect faults at an early stage and eliminate them before they affect your process.

With CBM, internal sensors monitor activity beyond the actuator by collecting data from multiple sources and gaining important insights in real time. These insights contribute to a better understanding of what is happening throughout the system.

Activities include monitoring the motor's stator winding, the load envelope and speed-related vibrations via an external sensor. You can set various thresholds and automatically or manually determine the "good state" for monitoring using various methods in accordance with the relevant standards and guidelines.

The monitoring functions are embedded in the frequency inverter. Thus, even without a connection to the cloud or to a PLC, the device with Edge Intelligence can evaluate the data and initiate actions. However, if required, Danfoss smart drives can also share the data with any system or cloud platform. They increase availability, optimise efficiency and optimise maintenance needs. This prevents costly downtime and expensive, time-consuming repairs.