Controlling marine equipment with a variable frequency drive from Invertek Drives is on the increase as the international shipping community endeavours to reduce energy consumption to meet stringent CO₂ emissions targets.

Invertek Drives Far East Pte Ltd has experienced a marked growth in demand for drives used to control electric winches, as Sales Manager Henry Beh explains:

“Winches are commonly used on offshore vessels such as Platform Supply Vessels (PSV), AHTS (Anchor Handling Tugs) and Pipe-lay vessels.

Electric winches are increasingly replacing hydraulic systems in the marine industry as they offer better energy efficiency and are less harmful to the environment – an issue of vital importance in this trade.

They are also far easier to keep operational - compared with hydraulic systems, electric winches are virtually maintenance free.

Using a variable frequency drive to control the winch can reduce energy consumption by as much as 60% by matching the speed of the motor with the requirement of the pulley.

The Optidrive P2 AC inverter from Invertek Drives includes a torque control feature which allows the winch to achieve constant tension function - typical of a mooring winch. The drive is also able to switch between speed-control mode during winches pay-out and torque control mode during auto-tension through a digital input.

Invertek Drives’ proprietary firmware delivers superior torque performance during low speed operation, and maintains consistent tension control performance, without the need for an external encoder.

The versatile brake control function ensure the smoothest control during acceleration and deceleration of winches - even in full load condition. 

Invertek Drives Far East has delivered a numbers of system solutions for marine winches, which typically include brake motor with forced cooling, water-cooled brake, gear boxes, starter panel and PLC control.”

Invertek Drives offers a range of variable frequency drives used in the maritime industry, including DNV GL approved products.

The Optidrive range includes IP55 and IP66 enclosure ratings, conformal coating and is designed to operate trouble-free in the 50°C temperatures frequently found in environments such as vessel engine rooms.

Find out more by visiting our dedicated marine page.