If you’re a machine builder, you know how important the miniaturization trend is and how you need to constantly strive to design precise and efficient machines. Smaller machines reduce energy demand, increase design flexibility, allow for more machines to run in the same crowded factory footprint and reduce maintenance costs, among other things. All of this amounts to lower costs and greater productivity.

In Part 1 of my blog on VFD cable and motor life, I explained how using THHN cable or other non-specialized cable to connect VFDs to motors leads to premature motor failure and electronic noise that is wreaking havoc on process sensors and degrading safety on the plant floor. Specifying specialized VFD cable can help avoid these issues, but, unfortunately, there are no standards for VFD cable features and construction, so it is definitely a case of buyer beware. Here, in Part 2, we will discuss what to look for in VFD cable, so that you can make a more informed decision.

With all the process efficiency and energy savings benefits that variable frequency drives (VFDs) offer the production environment, it’s not surprising that operations of all kinds rely on them. In fact, some facilities run upwards of hundreds of VFDs, helping them precisely control nearly every motor they use.