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Understanding the Market for Variable Frequency Drive Irrigation Pumps

By David Wallace, CEO

One reason that the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pump in farm irrigation has gained broad adoption is because of the efficiency gains it can bring to an operation.

Another reason is the wide variety of rebates, incentives, and grants provided by power suppliers, state governments, and even Uncle Sam himself in exchange for energy savings. 

But despite their growing use on farms, VFD owners can still miss out on significant benefits. Here’s how growers can get the most out of their VFD irrigation pumps.

Understanding Variable Frequency Drive

Variable Frequency Drive (sometimes called a Variable Speed Drive) is an electrical component that converts incoming constant-frequency electrical power to a different frequency on demand, allowing the component being driven (usually a motor of an irrigation pump) to operate over a wide range of speeds. VFDs come with a wide variety of advantages:

  • Gentle: slow ramp up/down prevents water hammer
  • Efficient: running below max speed reduces energy consumption
  • Versatile: match the specific pressure and flow demands of different irrigation systems on the fly

Common VFD pump manufacturers and popular product lines

Yaskawa

Country of Origin: Japan

Popular Yaskawa VFD product lines: P1000

Danfoss

Country of Origin: Denmark

Popular Danfoss VFD product lines: VLT Aquadrive

Fuji Electric

Country of Origin: Japan

Popular Fuji Electric VFD product lines: Frenic-Ace, Frenic-Mega, Frenic-EcoPump

ABB

Country of Origin: Switzerland and Sweden

Popular ABB VFD product product lines: ACQ580

How FarmHQ can help you get more out of your VFD irrigation pump

FarmHQ integrates with all of the above brands via a simple 4-20mA current loop interface to provide real-time remote control over drive speed, as well as advanced features like pressure and flow rate setpoints, and remote pressure control from other FarmHQ-enabled equipment. 

Get in touch with us today if you’d like to explore how FarmHQ can seamlessly integrate with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pumps to provide comprehensive control over pump speed.