The Experimental Factory of Auto-motorization Equipment and Instruments (EFAEI-a MOSENERGO subsidiary) has built the first Russian-made low-voltage adjustable-frequency drive ChRP-30 and is now conducting qualification tests. Moscow Energy Institute provided support for the testing.

ChRP-30 operates at 0.4 kV voltage and has a power of 30 kW. It is designed to optimize the work of electric motors, which are part of pumps installed at power plants. Installation of the ChRP-30 reduces power expenditures by 40 percent, saving power for the motors. With the help of the ChRP-30 operation of the pumping equipment and motors get extended by 1.5-2 times with lower maintenance costs. According to experts, efficiency of the drive is 95 percent in frequency-adjusted mode.

The new drive has already undergone tests on electric safety, functioning and several other technical parameters. Final testing will be held in the field at MOSENERGO's Heating and Power Plant 25 (HPP-25).

Currently Russian companies use foreign-made adjustable-frequency drives. "The ChRP-30 drive, manufactured at our factory, matches the characteristics of the best foreign counterparts. It is also cheaper and, in distinction from foreign drives, is compatible with any domestic non-synchronized motors with appropriate power," said A.Sakov, head of the EFAEI department of Perspective Development.

MOSENERGO managers have issued a directive, providing for the installation of 20 drives of this type at the company's facilities.