Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are a hot topic. Advancements in VFD technology and reductions in price are driving rapid market adoption. Dramatic energy savings can deliver a payback period measured in months, and VFDs enable precise motor control in many industrial process applications.
But VFDs are also hot in the literal sense: The advanced electronics pack more semiconductor components into a smaller form factor resulting in more intense heat generation. Elevated temperatures degrade performance, impair operational reliability, and shorten service life.