Variable-Frequency Drives, Motors, and Industrial Laundry Controls

Designed for industrial technicians, this course covers the theory, operation, and maintenance of electrical power delivery and motor control architectures within commercial washing machinery. Students examine three-phase induction motor principles, winding configurations, and dynamic braking alongside variable-frequency drive (VFD) parameterization, speed profiling, and harmonic mitigation. Instruction details control system integration, tracing ladder logic schematics, input and output interfacing, programmable logic controllers, and sensor networks including out-of-balance switches, tachometers, and liquid-level transducers. Emphasis is placed on systematic electrical diagnostic procedures, safe measurement practices under high-voltage conditions, and isolating intermittent control faults. Through structured benchwork and applied system evaluations, learners master drive commissioning, fault code interpretation, and control loop verification across multi-motor laundry platforms. By addressing the intersection of digital controls and electro-mechanical power, the curriculum equips technicians with the diagnostic competencies required to maintain uptime in high-throughput laundry processing facilities.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

LND 101

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Three-Phase AC Induction Motors: Theory, Windings, and Nameplate Specificationslecture

02Lesson 2: Motor Starters, Contactors, Reversing Circuits, and Overload Protectionlecture

03Lesson 3: Principles of Variable-Frequency Drives: Rectification, DC Bus, and Inverter Stageslecture

04Hands-on Lab: VFD Wiring, Parameter Programming, and Motor Speed Profilinglab

05Lesson 5: Acceleration, Deceleration, Dynamic Braking, and Load Inherent Inertialecture

06Lesson 6: Industrial Laundry Control Schematics, Ladder Logic, and Circuit Tracinglecture

07Lesson 7: Sensor Networks: Encoders, Tachometers, Level Sensors, and Out-of-Balance Switcheslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Control Loop Diagnostics, Transducer Calibration, and Signal Verificationlab

09Lesson 9: Microprocessor Controllers, Embedded Logic Boards, and Input/Output Interfacinglecture

10Lesson 10: Safety Interlock Circuits, Monitored Door Locks, and Emergency Stop Loopslecture

11Hands-on Lab: Drive Fault Emulation, Component Isolation, and Winding Insulation Testinglab

12Lesson 12: Digital Communication Protocols, Bus Networks, and Machine Telemetrylecture

13Lesson 13: Power Quality Management: Harmonics, Line Reactors, and Shielding Techniqueslecture

14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Drive and Automation Control Commissioningassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Three-Phase AC Induction Motors: Theory, Windings, and Nameplate Specifications", "Week 2: Lesson 2: Motor Starters, Contactors, Reversing Circuits, and Overload Protection", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Principles of Variable-Frequency Drives: Rectification, DC Bus, and Inverter Stages", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: VFD Wiring, Parameter Programming, and Motor Speed Profiling", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Acceleration, Deceleration, Dynamic Braking, and Load Inherent Inertia", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Industrial Laundry Control Schematics, Ladder Logic, and Circuit Tracing", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Sensor Networks: Encoders, Tachometers, Level Sensors, and Out-of-Balance Switches", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Control Loop Diagnostics, Transducer Calibration, and Signal Verification", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Microprocessor Controllers, Embedded Logic Boards, and Input/Output Interfacing", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Safety Interlock Circuits, Monitored Door Locks, and Emergency Stop Loops", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Drive Fault Emulation, Component Isolation, and Winding Insulation Testing", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Digital Communication Protocols, Bus Networks, and Machine Telemetry", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Power Quality Management: Harmonics, Line Reactors, and Shielding Techniques", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Drive and Automation Control Commissioning"]