Motor Drive Analyzer: Basics and Application

This page covers the basics of a Motor Drive Analyzer. It includes an application note and lists manufacturers/vendors of these devices. This application note will focus on the Motor Drive Analyzer (MDA) from Teledyne Lecroy.

Essentially, a Motor Drive Analyzer is an instrument that acquires single or 3-phase motor drive input and output waveforms, as well as DC bus waveforms.

The MDA also acquires motor shaft torque and speed/angle/position waveforms.

Using these acquired waveforms, the MDA performs a variety of current, voltage, and power calculations. It determines the mechanical power output of the motor using inputs from various torque and speed-related sensors.

The MDA effectively combines the capabilities of both a power analyzer and an oscilloscope.

For more detailed information, refer to resources on power analyzer equipment basics and oscilloscope measurements.

Features of the Teledyne Lecroy Motor Drive Analyzer

Here are some key features of the Motor Drive Analyzer developed by Teledyne Lecroy:

• Displays conversion efficiencies
• 8-channel input
• 12-bit acquisition system
• Combines motor drive system debug and validation in one unit
• Measures real, apparent, and reactive 3-phase power
• Acquisition memory of 50 Mpts/channel
• 1GHz of bandwidth supported

Pricing (as of September 2015)

Different versions of the MDA are available at varying prices:

• 350 MHz model - $29,850
• 500 MHz model - $32,850
• 1 GHz model - $35,850

Motor Drive Analyzer Manufacturers/Vendors

Here are some of the popular manufacturers and vendors of Motor Drive Analyzers:

• Tektronix
• Teledyne LeCroy
• Yokogawa
• Newtons4th Ltd
• SKF