The level of prosperity of a community is related to its capability to produce
goods and services. But producing goods and services is strongly related to the
use of energy in an intelligent way.
Motion and temperature (heat) control are paramount in energy usage.
Energy comes into use in a few forms such as thermal, mechanical and
electrical.
The level of prosperity of a community is related to its capability to produce 5 E/ `5 R$ p7 ngoods and services. But producing goods and services is strongly related to the6 L; N5 [% c! g5 {- ]
use of energy in an intelligent way. ?' J6 Z0 t8 y% j0 [) A! YMotion and temperature (heat) control are paramount in energy usage. 0 |- |$ K" K7 z+ G2 I7 T% gEnergy comes into use in a few forms such as thermal, mechanical and 9 @! ^3 ?& }6 ?) o7 helectrical. " A" c4 F" {7 D1 zElectrical energy, measured in kWh, represents more than 30% of all used & n J% t7 }' O& S% @. r6 Nenergy and it is on the rise. Part of electrical energy is used directly to produce ; k) F" F7 R5 Nheat or light (in electrolysis, metallurgical arch furnaces, industrial space' U2 L$ s8 u/ E( e5 o, ~- J: R! E
heating, lighting, etc.).: q" E& t, J) k3 O* v7 b1 Y8 _2 h
The larger part of electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy in 7 c) ~* Q( U1 n) u! N' W# melectric motors. Among electric motors, induction motors are most used both for % R( E5 z% [$ T& Y4 j1 Hhome appliances and in various industries [1-11]. & H! Z, \( Z3 OThis is so because they have been traditionally fed directly from the threephase # Q# M* Z4 Y w5 O1 @a.c. electric power grid through electromagnetic power switches with ' ]) n4 z5 o9 W6 Y* Y6 D0 Badequate protection. It is so convenient. ' p. ]& b! J# n" c5 e" V0 p+ Y9 W1 LSmall power induction motors, in most home appliances, are fed from the 0 {: R) f- s9 K# w+ U6 m; _local single phase a.c. power grids. Induction motors are rugged and have 6 r/ }6 h/ Z9 ]& kmoderate costs, explaining their popularity. + [" Z/ t/ ] v5 {$ l* c! C! X* q$ S" ]In developed countries today there are more than 3 kW of electric motors3 L! ]' f! P w0 v/ e
per person, today and most of it is from induction motors.8 I6 z6 {+ z3 Q- A. J. @
While most induction motors are still fed from three-phase or single-phase % D% _; H4 ` `1 T" Y7 Q1 Jpower grids, some are supplied through frequency changers (or power 1 [/ D# y) v6 I6 _' ]$ Relectronics converters) to provide variable speed.& a) M) E' B3 O. U/ k
In developed countries, 10% of all induction motor power is converted in 0 H( V" y. o, L% W5 Uvariable speed drives applications. The annual growth rate of variable speed8 A& W6 K7 `% S9 Y
drives has been 9% in the last decade while the electric motor markets showed 4 i l0 i9 {) M$ v: N( G0 B& f9 jan average annual growth rate of 4% in the same time. ! H- [" K4 E) [9 @Variable speed drives with induction motors are used in transportation, # \! v& K! H# e Y, k, k: Y; hpumps, compressors, ventilators, machine tools, robotics, hybrid or electric8 ?* ?( F" f' ~+ T& o1 m* a
vehicles, washing machines, etc.$ F, i4 a" a# Y, I6 X