Revision 10/2005, BE13, SW V4.08    C-1 
Appendix C  How to Select the Right AC Motor Drive 
The choice of the right AC motor drive for the application is very important and has great influence on its lifetime. 
If the capacity of AC motor drive is too large, it cannot offer complete protection to the motor and motor maybe 
damaged. If the capacity of AC motor drive is too small, it cannot offer the required performance and the AC 
motor drive maybe damaged due to overloading. 
 
But by simply selecting the AC motor drive of the same capacity as the motor, user application requirements 
cannot be met completely. Therefore, a designer should consider all the conditions, including load type, load 
speed, load characteristic, operation method, rated output, rated speed, power and the change of load capacity. 
The following table lists the factors you need to consider, depending on your requirements. 
 
Related Specification 
Item 
Speed and 
torque 
characteristics
Time 
ratings 
Overload 
capacity 
Starting 
torque 
Load type 
Friction load and weight load 
Liquid (viscous) load 
Inertia load 
Load with power transmission 
ϥ 
   
ϥ 
Load speed 
and torque 
characteristics 
Constant torque 
Constant output 
Decreasing torque 
Decreasing output 
ϥ  ϥ 
   
Load 
characteristics 
Constant load 
Shock load 
Repetitive load 
High starting torque 
Low starting torque 
ϥ  ϥ  ϥ  ϥ 
Continuous operation, Short-time operation 
Long-time operation at medium/low speeds 
 
ϥ  ϥ 
 
Maximum output current (instantaneous) 
Constant output current (continuous) 
ϥ 
 
ϥ 
 
Maximum frequency, Base frequency 
ϥ 
     
Power supply transformer capacity or percentage 
impedance 
Voltage fluctuations and unbalance 
Number of phases, single phase protection 
Frequency 
   
ϥ  ϥ 
Mechanical friction, losses in wiring     
ϥ  ϥ 
Duty cycle modification   
ϥ