A regional East Coast utility operates several wastewater pump stations that are vital to the area’s infrastructure. But when aging 18-pulse VFDs at the main treatment plant became a growing maintenance burden, it was clear the system needed a smarter, more sustainable path forward.
Challenge
The main treatment plant depended on aging 18-pulse drives that introduced multiple challenges:
- Bulky Cabinets and Complex Wiring – Consumed valuable space and made maintenance difficult.
- Poor Power Quality – Dirty incoming power created reliability concerns and added stress on components.
- Strict Uptime Requirements – At least three of four pumps had to remain operational at all times.
- Risk of Harmonic Penalties – Excessive harmonic distortion threatened utility fines.
The customer needed a modern, compact VFD solution that could meet performance expectations and be installed with minimal disruption.
Solution
Yaskawa’s local distributor recommended the U1000 MATRIX Packaged Drive as a high-efficiency, compact retrofit solution. Its 3-wire in, 3-wire out configuration enabled the removal of the bulky 18-pulse cabinets and simplified the wiring process. New mains were installed to improve power distribution and support independent drive servicing, ensuring continued operation. Despite the complexity of the upgrade – and thanks to the U1000’s short lead time – each unit was installed
quickly and on time. Yaskawa provided on-site training to ensure the customer’s technicians could confidently optimize and maintain the system long-term
Results
Reduced: Energy Consumption
A more efficient design now saves the municipality $20,000 every year in electricity costs.
Reduced: Maintenance Demands
Fewer components and simplified wiring improved system reliability.
Improved: Efficiency & Control
The U1000 provided advanced motor control and low harmonic distortion.
Solutions: For Life
Engineered for longevity and efficiency, Yaskawa builds lasting partnerships through VFDs and support that keep municipalities running. The Yaskawa U1000 Industrial MATRIX VFD is a compact, robust solution for ultra-low harmonics and/or full regeneration. It is the ideal choice for power quality and energy savings.
Key U1000 Features
- Adheres to the 5% input Total Harmonic Distortion (iTHD) standard as per IEEE 519 guidelines for harmonic mitigation at the input stage
- Adjustable torque limit and overtorque settings for optimized acceleration and machine protection
- Equipped with a Safe Torque Off (STO) safety feature, meeting the requirements of IEC62061 (SIL3) and EN/ISO 13849-1 (PLe)
- Does not rely on bus capacitors that degrade over time, contributing to a long product lifespan
- Built-in fusing
- Access to Yaskawa’s award-winning 24-hour technical support is free of charge
Need to upgrade aging wastewater systems with efficient, compact drives?
Contact Yaskawa today.
