For the overwhelming majority of upstream and midstream oil and gas pumping operations, 480V VFDs can reduce operating expenses by double-digit percentages. This series of short articles can help you determine whether 480V is right for your oil, water or gas compression applications. Learn more. Read on.

Change for the sake of change is, in a word, noise. Bells and whistles are just that, if they don’t improve your operation. Then again, change that can reduce costs and increase productivity can be a boon to the bottom line.

Deciding whether a new product or technology is a benefit or just snake oil can be a daunting task. Take, for instance, whether you should replace your medium-voltage VFDs with a newer 480V model. Back before VFDs were first introduced into the oil and gas industry, medium- voltage was the best choice for large motor control, and it saved producers money

In the intervening 50 years, however, technology has come a long way. Drives have replaced fixed speed motor control. Some companies never considered the voltage that made the most sense and switched directly from 4160V fixed speed controls to 4160V variable speed drives. Those companies are missing a great opportunity to run a less expensive and more efficient technology. Instead of using medium voltage controls for your large motors, now, 480V VFDs are the best option for motors under 1,200HP. Not only are they less expensive by a big margin, they lower operating costs and they’re immensely safer than their 4160V counterparts.

Still, making the change from a product that has worked for you and your company for a half- century is a decision that needs careful analysis. And that takes time. And time is money. Both of which are in short supply, right?

At SPOC, we get it. That’s why we present this series of short posts (see below) that help explain the benefits of low-voltage VFDs. We figure distilling the info into a primer can help you decide whether considering such a change is worth the effort.

Of course, we are also available to answer any additional questions you might have, whether that be about our innovative VFDs, or our other products, such as pump-off controls and SCADA technology. Our products are for uses in applications throughout the oilfield, and they are backed by our industry-leading service and unprecedented warranties.

Looking to reduce the costs of your oil and gas operation? See these other posts in our informational blog series, “Which is Better for You: 480V or 4160V Drives?”

• These Numbers Don’t Lie

To control a motor of 1,000HP or less, low-voltage VFDs are equally as effective as their medium-voltage counterparts. AND they’re also much less expensive to purchase and operate.

• Safer, Less Expensive and Easier to Maintain

Need parts? Need labor? Need them now? Both are more readily available for low-voltage drives than medium-voltage models. Low voltage drives are also much safer to operate.

• Simple Economics

The biggest advances in drives are happening in the low-voltage arena. That’s due, in large part, to the preponderance of low-voltage drives in the market today. That said, if you’re not using low voltage VFDs you could be missing out on cost-saving and yield-boosting innovations.

• Why Choose SPOC Automation?

What differentiates SPOC from our competitors is our focus on continuous improvement and our commitment to keep your pumps running. Learn more about the innovations we’ve pioneered as well as our industry-leading service and unprecedented warranties.

Call, email, or chat with us anytime. You can find our contact info at spocautomation.com.