Regenerative braking in a low power lift drive system

In this paper the effectiveness of regenerative braking for a low power lift drive system is first validated by carrying out energy audit calculations in all the four quadrant of its operation. It has been found from the energy audit calculations that the regenerative braking of the drive system for this application can lead to a net energy saving of 27.2%. In the next step, a feasible three phase AC squirrel cage induction motor drive system for such a low power lift operating from a single phase supply is proposed. The proposed converter/inverter configuration of the drive system is designed such that the input mains current is sinusoidal during both motoring and regenerating operation. Suitable simulation and experimental results of the inverter/converter configuration are discussed to prove its feasibility.