Fluke MDA-500 Series Motor Drive Analysers

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Complex motor-drive troubleshooting simplified with new automated drive analyser.

Fluke’s latest release, the MDA-500 Series, designed to help users easily test and troubleshoot typical problems on three-phase and single-phase inverter type motor-drive systems. The on-screen information and step-by-step setup guidance allow easy con­figuration of the analyzer, delivering the drive measurements needed to make better, faster maintenance decisions. From power input to the installed motor, the MDA-500 provides the measurement capability for the fastest motor-drive troubleshooting. 

The Fluke MDA-500 saves time and eliminates the hassle of setting up complex measurements while simplifying the troubleshooting process. Users simply select a test and the step-by-step guided measurements show where to make voltage and current connections, while the preset measure­ment profiles ensure the capture of all the data needed for each critical motor-drive section—from the input to the output, the DC bus, and the motor itself. From basic to advanced measurements, the Fluke MDA-500 Series has it all covered, and with a built-in report generator, users can quickly and easily generate ‘as-found’, and ‘as-left’ reports with confidence. 

The Fluke MDA-510 and Fluke MDA-550 are ideal portable motor-drive analysis test tools, to safely locate and troubleshoot typical problems on inverter type motor-drive systems. 

• Measure key motor-drive parameters including voltage, current, DC Bus voltage level and AC ripple, voltage and current unbalance and harmonics (MDA-550), voltage modulation, and motor shaft voltage discharges (MDA-550). 
• Perform extended harmonics measurements to identify the effects of low and high order harmonics on your electrical power system. 
• Conduct guided measurements for motor-drive input, DC bus, drive output, motor input, and shaft measurements (MDA-550) with graphical step-by-step voltage and current connection diagrams. 
• Use simplified measurement setup with preset measurement profiles to automatically trigger data collection based on the chosen test procedure.
• Create reports quickly and easily that are perfect for docu­menting troubleshooting and collaborative work with others. 
• Measure additional electrical parameters with a full 500 MHz oscilloscopes, meter, and recording capability for a complete range of electrical and electronic measurements on industrial systems. 

The Fluke MDA-500 Series uses guided test measurements for analysis of:

Drive input 

Measure input voltage and current to see whether values are within acceptable limits by comparing the variable frequency drives to the actual supplied voltage. Then, check the input current to determine if the current is within the maximum rating and the conductors are suitably sized. Users can also check whether the harmonic distortion is within an acceptable level by visu­ally inspecting the waveform shape or by viewing the harmonics spectrum screen (MDA-550) which shows both the total harmonic distortion and individual harmonics. 

Voltage and current unbalance 

Check the frequency speed drive’s voltage unbalance at the input terminals to ensure the phase unbalance is not too high (> 6-8 %), and that the phase rotation is correct.  Also check the current unbalance, as excessive unbalance may indicate a drive rectifier problem. 

Extended harmonic measurements 

Excessive harmonics are not just a threat to rotating machines but also to other equipment connected to the electrical power system. The MDA-550 provides the ability to discover the harmon­ics of the motor-drive but can also discover the possible effects of inverter switching electronics. The MDA-550 has three harmonic ranges, 1st to 51st Harmonics, 1 to 9 kHz and 9 kHz to 150 kHz giving the ability to detect any harmonic pollution problems. 

DC bus 

In a motor-drive the conversion of AC to DC inside the drive is critical, having the correct voltage and adequate smoothing with low ripple is required for the best drive performance. High ripple voltage may be an indicator of failed capacitors or incorrect sizing of the connected motor. The record function of the MDA-500 Series can be used to check DC bus performance dynamically in the oper­ating mode while a load is applied. 

Drive output 

Check the output of the inverter drive focusing both on voltage to frequency ratio (V/F), and voltage modulation. When high V/F ratio measure­ments are experienced, the motor may overheat. With low V/F ratios, the connected motor may not be able to provide the required torque at the load to sufficiently run the intended process.