Peripherals (VSD and Solar Drives)
EMHEATER Peripherals for VSDs & Solar Drives
Chokes • Filters • Reactors • Braking Units • Sine Wave Filters
Many Variable Speed Drive (VSD) and Solar Drive installations benefit from additional peripherals. These components improve performance, protect the drive and motor, reduce harmonics, and extend equipment life — especially in demanding applications or difficult environments.
Clean Imports (part of TCGC) is the official sole distributor of EMHEATER products in Southern Africa and supplies a full range of genuine peripherals.
Why Use Peripherals?
Depending on the application, motor size, cable length, and power quality, peripherals can provide important benefits:
- Improved power factor
- Reduced harmonic distortion
- Protection against voltage spikes and surges
- Lower motor noise and insulation stress
- Better performance with long motor cables
- Reliable braking for high-inertia loads
We also strongly recommend Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) on all installations to protect against lightning and power surges. When one drive controls multiple motors, Thermal Overload Relays are recommended for individual motor protection.
DC Chokes (Reactors for Power Factor Improvement)
DC Bus / Link Chokes are highly recommended for larger drives (typically from 90 kW, and strongly recommended from 250 kW).
Benefits:
- Improves power factor
- Reduces rectifier stress
- Prevents capacitor overheating
- Suppresses sudden grid voltage changes
Available series:
- EM-RAD2 (3-Phase ~220V)
- EM-RAD3 (3-Phase ~380V)
- EM-RAD5 (3-Phase ~525V)
- EM-RAD6 (3-Phase ~690V)
Custom amp ratings and voltages available on request.
Note: Installing a DC choke requires the drive wiring to be reconfigured by the manufacturer.
AC Chokes (Reactors for Harmonic Filtration)
Input Chokes (Line Reactors)
Installed on the supply side of the drive.
Benefits:
- Protect against transient overvoltages
- Reduce harmonic distortion
- Limit inrush current
- Extend DC bus capacitor life
Output Chokes (Load Reactors)
Installed between the drive and motor (recommended for cable lengths over 25–50 m; for very long cables use a Sine Wave Filter instead).
Benefits:
- Protect motor insulation
- Reduce motor heating
- Soften voltage peaks (dv/dt)
- Suppress cable charging currents
Available series:
- Input: EM-RAI3, EM-RAI5, EM-RAI6
- Output: EM-RAO2, EM-RAO3, EM-RAO5, EM-RAO6
Custom ratings available on request.
AC EMC / EMI Filters (Noise Filters)
These filters reduce electromagnetic interference that can affect other equipment or be caused by other equipment.
- Input Filters – prevent interference coming from the supply line into the drive
- Output Filters – prevent interference going from the drive to the motor
Available series:
- Input: EM-FIT3, EM-FIT5, EM-FIT6
- Output: EM-FOT2, EM-FOT3, EM-FOT5, EM-FOT6
Custom ratings available on request.
Sine Wave Filters
Sine Wave Filters convert the drive’s PWM output into a near-perfect sine wave. Ideal for:
- Long motor cables (150 m to 500 m+, up to 3000 m in some cases)
- Older motors
- 690 V applications
- Aggressive environments
- Applications requiring frequent braking
Benefits:
- Greatly reduced motor insulation stress
- Quieter motor operation
- Cooler motor running
- Reduced bearing currents
- Lower losses in the drive
Available series:
- EM-SWF2, EM-SWF3, EM-SWF5, EM-SWF6
Custom ratings available on request.
Dynamic Braking Systems
Used when the motor needs to stop quickly or when regenerative energy would otherwise cause the drive to trip on overvoltage.
Smaller drives often have a built-in braking transistor. Larger drives require an external braking unit plus braking resistors.
Available braking units:
- EM-BU2 (30–45 kW light duty)
- EM-BU3 / EM-BU3H (55–75 kW range)
- EM-BU4H / EM-BU5H (90–220 kW range)
We also supply:
- Aluminium housed braking resistors
- Porcelain winding braking resistors
Custom resistor values available on request.
Recommended Accessories
In addition to the main peripherals above, we also supply:
- Pressure transmitters
- Level transmitters
- Ferrite rings
- PV diodes
- Axial flow fans
- Signal isolators
- Crane / hoist / lift / winch remotes
Need help selecting the right peripherals?
Contact us with your drive size, application details and cable lengths — we will recommend the correct combination.
