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Retrofit Projects
VFD Retrofit for Existing Motors, Cables, and Infrastructure
Clean Power VFD technology enables simple VFD upgrades while working within existing infrastructure.
Understanding Retrofit Constraints and Typical Retrofit Challenge
Most of retrofit projects require working with what is already in place:
→ Motors already installed
→ Motor cables that cannot be replaced
→ Existing MCCs and switchgear
→ PLC and SCADA systems already integrated
→ Existing harmonic limits and grid requirements
Successful upgrades improve performance without introducing new risks to the operation.
Traditional PWM VFD installations often require additional mitigation equipment, such as:
- Line reactors
- dv/dt filters
- Sine wave filters
- Output reactors
- Shaft grounding rings
Each added component increases:
- Cabinet space requirements
- Heat inside electrical rooms
- Installation complexity
- Potential maintenance points
In tight electrical or pump rooms, these additions can quickly make retrofit projects difficult to implement.
A Different Approach to Retrofits
Traditional drive upgrades often require additional mitigation equipment.
Clean Power VFD takes a different approach.
By reducing electrical side-effects at the source, the drive delivers:
- Near-sinusoidal motor output
- Ultra-low input harmonics
- Reduced common-mode voltage
- Lower bearing stress
- Cleaner shared-bus operation
These characteristics can simplify many retrofit
What This Means for Retrofit Projects
In many installations, this allows:
- Removal of external harmonic filters
- Simpler cabinet layouts
- Lower heat inside electrical rooms
- Shorter installation time
- Reuse of existing motors and cables
The result is a simpler, faster path to modern motor control.
Proven in Real-World Retrofits
Long Cable Municipal Pump Retrofit
- Over 1,300 ft of buried cable
- Previous PWM drive faulted repeatedly
- Cable replacement: Not possible
- Result: stable operation, no filters, significant energy savings
District Energy Cooling Infrastructure
- Recurring bearing failures
- Reactor added, motor replaced — problem persisted
- Replaced with Clean Power VFD
- Result: major vibration reduction, no more bearing failures
Municipal Pump Station Upgrade
- Contactor replaced with VFD
- Limited panel space
- Integrated Modbus into existing control system
- Result: energy savings, quieter operation, simplified installation
Ideal Retrofit Environments
- Water and wastewater facilities
- HVAC and district cooling systems
- Data center cooling infrastructure
- Industrial pumping systems
- Agricultural operations
- Manufacturing plants
Especially where long motor cable runs or harmonic limitations are present.
Retrofit Benefits That Matter
- Preserve existing infrastructure
- Reduce mechanical stress on motors
- Improve overall energy efficiency
- Reduce nuisance trips and faults
- Simplify harmonic compliance
- Lower lifecycle operating costs
Most importantly:
You can modernize motor control without rebuilding your electrical system.
Planning a Retrofit
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