The UK trade groups Gambica and Rema have updated their free best practice guide for installing drive systems, following a joint study that combined established theory with the results of specific investigations. The new edition of Installation Guidelines for Power Drive Systems – the first since December, 2006 – reflects current legislation, regulations and standards, and includes new sections on earth-loop impedance testing, bearings and power conditioning, as well as an updated section on transformers.

“This is the 4th Edition of the Technical Guide, with updates on power drive systems including the drive, motor and load, together with cabling, site considerations, circuit protection, earthing and harmonics,” explains Gambica’s deputy director, Steve Brambley, who convenes the organisation’s VSD (variable speed drives) group.

“Power Drive Systems is an IEC term which covers the VSD, motor and sensors used for feedback control information to the drive, as well as auxiliary parts like filtering and protection,” he continues. “The technical guide has now evolved into a comprehensive treatise for engineers and installers, giving them a VSD manufacturer’s perspective on best practice for installation.

Each section in the guide covers the requirements of a different part of a power drive system, to assist specifiers and buyers from specification to installation and commissioning. It considers the aspects of safe mechanical and electrical installation and the avoidance of EMC problems.

The guide is available as a free download from Gambica’s Web site.

Gambica represents the UK automation controls and instrumentation sector, while Rema represents UK motor and generator suppliers.