What is a PWM Drive?

[drodriquez]

Guys,
What is a PWM Drive? (Pulse-Width Modulation Drive)

[actionjack]

Pulse-width modulation is a type of AC variable frequency drive that accomplishes frequency
and voltage control at the output section (inverter) of the drive.

The drive output voltage waveform is at a constant amplitude, and by "chopping" the waveform (this is the pulse-width modulating), the average voltage is controlled.

The chopping frequency is sometimes called the carrier frequency. PWM drives are common but the PWM descriptor is assumed and many times not even mentioned.