Darwin Motion VFD drive to drive communication

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), also known as adjustable frequency drives or inverters, are commonly used in industrial applications to control the speed and torque of electric motors. Communication between VFDs, often referred to as drive-to-drive communication, can be important in certain applications for coordination and synchronization of multiple motors or processes. There are different methods and protocols for achieving communication between VFDs, and the specific approach depends on the manufacturer, model, and the communication capabilities of the drives.

Here are some common methods for VFD-to-VFD communication:

Modbus Communication:

Modbus is a widely used communication protocol in industrial automation. Many VFDs support Modbus RTU (serial) or Modbus TCP (Ethernet) for communication. By connecting VFDs using Modbus, you can exchange control and status information between drives.

EtherNet/IP:

EtherNet/IP is an industrial Ethernet protocol commonly used for communication between devices in industrial automation. Some VFDs are equipped with EtherNet/IP capabilities, allowing them to communicate over an Ethernet network.

Profibus or Profinet:

Profibus and Profinet are industrial communication protocols used in manufacturing and process automation. VFDs supporting these protocols can communicate with each other over a Profibus or Profinet network.

DeviceNet:

DeviceNet is another industrial network protocol used for device-level communication. Some VFDs have DeviceNet interfaces for communication with other devices on the same network.

CANopen:

CANopen is a communication protocol based on the Controller Area Network (CAN) technology. It is used for high-level communication between devices, and some VFDs support CANopen for drive-to-drive communication.

Analog and Digital I/O:

In some cases, VFDs can communicate with each other using analog and digital input/output signals. This method is more basic and might not offer as much flexibility as digital communication protocols, but it can be effective for simple coordination.

When implementing drive-to-drive communication, it's important to ensure that the VFDs involved support the same communication protocol and have compatible hardware interfaces. Additionally, you'll need to configure the communication parameters, addresses, and data exchange settings as per the manufacturer's guidelines.

Always refer to the specific documentation provided by the Darwin Motion VFD manufacturer for detailed information on communication capabilities and configuration procedures.