Jim McKee (deceased)
Alabama Electric Motor Service
Sheffield, Alabama
Technical Education Committee Member
The slip ring or wound rotor induction motor (WRIM) has been used in a variety of applications. Many of these applications use the WRIM’s high starting torque capability while limiting current to start and run very high inertia loads such as hammer mills, rolling mills, centrifuges, and rotary kilns. Other applications utilize the variable speed capability of the WRIM. Probably the most common use of WRIMs for variable speed is in crane and hoist service. Other variable speed uses for the WRIM include wiredraw machines, fans, blowers, pumps and refrigeration compressors.
Variety of solutions, options
Many of these applications, if designed today, would utilize a standard induction motor and variable frequency drive (VFD), particularly those where speed control is the desired end result. When older WRIMs or their controllers fail, the best solution often is to replace both motor and control. There are situations, however, where the best solution may be to replace the old controller with a VFD and continue to use the WRIM.
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