Help and Guidance

Not sure where to start? Use the sections below for quick answers, or browse our long reads for more detailed technical guidance.

We provide comprehensive technical support to help customers select, install, and commission Variable Speed Drives, motors, and related equipment. This section brings together practical guidance based on real-world applications and common issues.

All equipment must be installed and commissioned by a competent electrical engineer in accordance with relevant standards and regulations.

For product-specific technical information, documentation, and troubleshooting guidance, please refer to the relevant individual product pages which can be found on our home page.

 

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Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)

General guidance covering installation, setup, and troubleshooting of Variable Speed Drives across a wide range of applications.

• Common VSD Trips – Trips, causes and recommended actions
• Installation FAQs – Tips for successful installation and commissioning
• Unexpected or Unusual Performance – Common causes and possible solutions
• Know Your VSD – Understanding VSD technology, features, and terminology

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AC Induction Motors

Guidance on motor configuration and interpretation of motor data for correct application with VSDs.

• How to Read a Motor Nameplate – Identifying key data for correct VSD setup
• Star and Delta Connection – Understanding motor wiring configurations

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Soft Starters

Guidance on the correct application of soft starters.

• Trip Class Guidance – Understanding protection classes and correct selection
• Soft-starter vs Variable Speed Drive - Guidance when it is best to use a Soft-starter vs a Variable Speed Drive (VSD)

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Long Reads

Over many years we have compiled a library of in-depth technical articles covering applications, theory, and problem solving.

For quick answers, use the sections above. For deeper understanding, browse the categories below.

For ease of navigation, these have been grouped into categories. You can use the list below or scroll to browse all topics.

• Application Assistance
• Variable Speed Drives
• AC Induction Motors
• Soft Starters
• Specific Legacy Equipment
• Additional Information

Application Assistance

• How to understand fan power increasing with speed and energy saving
• How to load share between two speed-controlled motors
• Harmonics and Power Factor (REO UK)
• 240V supply to a 400V AC motor – application detail
• Increase motor power output and speed by 73%
• Emergency Stop Circuits and Safety

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Variable Speed Drives (Inverter Drives)

• How to safely use a Variable Frequency Inverter Drive
• VSD Environmental Protection Guide - Dust
• How to control a mechanical holding brake with an inverter drive
• Voltage limits for dynamic brake resistors and power absorbed
• Energy Saving Applications for Inverter Drives
• How an inverter works and controls the speed of an AC induction motor
• How to get maximum torque at low speed from a simple V/F inverter
• How to use inverter drives with RCD earth leakage protected supplies
• Understanding EMC filters in inverter drives – application detail

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AC Induction Motors

• How to recover energy from a water wheel with a simple AC induction motor
• High speed AC motor – application detail

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Soft Starters

• How to size generators for soft started motors

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Specific Legacy Equipment

• Delta connection in 240V 3ph for a Brook's 4 terminal motor
• Replace an SSD 5401 Field Regulator
• How to set power-up start for Parker 650 VSD

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Additional Information

• Energy saving for a hydraulic power pack
• How to size an alternator for use with inverters, soft starters, and DC thyristor drives
• Advantages of variable speed for home lathe use
• How to reverse a small DC drive (single/two phase input)
• Using inverter drives at home – guidance notes

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Created by Inverter Drive Supermarket Ltd. Last Revised April 2026