A-10
CDA3000 Operation Manual
 
 A.5 Project planning 
notes for multi-
motor operation
 
Subject Project planning notes
Current 
configuration of 
inverter module
The sum total of the motor currents must be less than the rated output 
current of the inverter module
Σ  of motor currents,  (I
M1
 + I
M2
 + I
Mn 
) < I
inverter
Motor control 
method
Multi-motor operation is only permitted with the VFC motor control 
method.
Motor choke A motor output choke must always be used. The motor choke limits the 
du/dt and thus the leakage currents, and protects again switching 
voltage overload resulting from switching of the motor inductance.
Motor cable length The total length of the overall motor cable is produced by adding the 
individual lengths per motor.
Motor protection In multi-motor operation the parallel-connected motors cannot be 
protected by the inverter module. As a result, depending on application 
the motor protection should be provided by means of external motor 
circuit-breakers or thermistor protective relays.
All motors have 
the same power 
output
In this application the torque characteristics of all motors remain 
roughly equal.
The motors have 
different power 
outputs
If the motor outputs are very different, problems may occur on startup 
and at low speeds. This is because of the high stator resistance of small 
motors and the resultant high voltage drop on the stator coil.
In practice: With a power ratio of around 1:4 between the motors, the 
starting torque of the smallest motor is still approx. 70% 
of the nominal torque. If the torque of approx. 70% is not 
sufficient, a larger motor must be used.
If all the motors are started together, the small motor will 
start up later, because the slip frequency is higher.
Speed 
proportionality
Differing motor output speeds can only be attained by using motors 
with differing nominal speeds, e.g. 1440 rpm and 2880 rpm. The speed 
ratio of approx. 1:2 is maintained during the speed change. The 
accuracy depends on the slip and thus on the load.
Connecting 
individual motors
When connecting motors, ensure that the connection current is not 
higher than the inverter peak current. It is advantageous if the inverter 
load is >40%.
This 40% base load backs up the output voltage of the inverter module 
at the moment of connection of the motor.
During connection the motor must not be run in the field 
weakening range, since the connected motor would 
otherwise have to run at reduced runup torque.