Optidrive Eco Pump VFD ideal for Irish self-propelled irrigation systems

Problem

The customer, based in Limerick, Ireland, needed the pump in the self-propelled irrigation systems it supplies to operate using a PI (Proportional-Integral) loop to minimise energy consumption.

Solution

Invertek Drives Ireland now supplies 11kW, IP66 rated, Optidrive Eco Pump variable frequency drives with integrated PLCs to control the pumps in self-propelled irrigation systems sold by the customer.

Self-propelled irrigation system

Keeping crops watered during dry summer months is essential to Ireland’s agriculture industry and automation has played a role in this for over 80 years.

It is widely recognised that the first self-propelled irrigation systems were invented back in the 1940s to reduce labour costs and help improve yield. Variable frequency drives are now used in irrigation system pumps to provide precise control of water pressure, reduce water consumption and optimise energy usage.

The Challenge

PJ Dore & Co Ltd Pumps and Irrigation Systems has more than 30 years’ expertise in this field and supplies systems used in a wide range of domestic, agricultural, commercial and industrial applications all over Ireland.

The system pressure provides mechanical power through a cam system that propels the machine. When the machines reach the limit of their travel a valve closes – increasing the pressure in the system to allow water to continue to be sprayed onto the land. A variable frequency drive with a PI loop was needed to decrease the speed of the pump and enable standby mode to optimise energy consumption.

The Invertek Drives Solution

Following initial trials, the Invertek Drives Ireland team proved to the customer that they possessed the product portfolio, technical expertise in pump applications, and systems integration skills to be able to support them with this challenge. The dedicated Optidrive Eco Pump VFD was selected based on its robust construction, compact size, clear TFT display, and IP66 enclosure rating, making it suitable for outdoor applications.

As well as ensuring water is released when it’s needed, the Optidrive Eco also optimises energy consumption by switching itself off once the standby mode has been activated. The user is able to define the length of time the Eco remains dormant for by using the integrated PLC, meaning the drive isn’t using energy unnecessarily.

The result

Stephen Tighe, Partner at Invertek Drives Ireland, comments, “We’ve worked with this particular customer for more than three years now and have developed a great working relationship with them. The Optidrive Eco Pump VFD is proven to integrate easily with the existing machine controls and we programme the integrated PLCs to the customer’s exact requirements.

“The customer is very satisfied with the Optidrive Eco Pumps and is now ordering on a regular basis for the self-propelled irrigation systems it supplies.”

More information

Follow this link to find out more about Optdrive Eco Pump – Invertek Drives’ range of dedicated variable frequency drives for pump control applications.