Variable speed drive with pulse-width modulated speed control

A drive system for a compressor of a chiller system includes a variable speed drive. The variable speed drive receives an input AC power at a fixed input AC voltage and a fixed input frequency, and provides an output AC power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC power source. The converter is arranged to convert the input AC voltage to a DC voltage. A DC link is connected to the converter and configured to filter and store the DC voltage from the converter. An inverter is connected to the DC link. A motor is connectable to the compressor for powering the compressor. A controller is arranged to control switching in the converter and the inverter. The controller is arranged to apply randomized pulse width modulation to vary the switching frequency of transistors in the converter and the inverter at each switching cycle. The motor may be a permanent magnet synchronous motor.