VFD course · Lesson 6 of 12

Basic parameters

A new drive knows nothing about the motor connected to it. The first thing you do: read it the motor nameplate, then tell it how fast to start, how fast to stop, and where to take its orders from. These parameters exist on every brand, under different names.

‹ Lessons All courses →ع

1Before you start

If the drive is used, or you are not sure of its settings: restore the factory settings (factory reset) first.
Most drives have a quick setup or a «basic» group with only the important parameters. Start there.
Write down every parameter you change, or save it on a computer, in case the drive gets replaced.

2Motor nameplate → parameters

The 5 most important numbers: voltage and current (depending on how the motor is connected: delta or star), frequency, speed and power. From them the drive works out overload protection, slip and the autotune.

Function	PowerFlex 525	SINAMICS V20	Altivar 320
Motor voltage	P031	P0304	UnS
Motor frequency	P032	P0310	FrS
Motor current	P033 / P034	P0305	nCr
Motor speed	P036	P0311	nSP
Motor power	P037	P0307	nPr
Accel	P041	P1120	ACC
Decel	P042	P1121	dEC
Min speed	P043	P1080	LSP
Max speed	P044	P1082	HSP
Run command source	P046	P0700	tCC / Cd1
Speed source	P047	P1000	Fr1

The table shows that the idea is the same and only the name differs. Check the manual for the same model and firmware version.

Drill: from the nameplate to the drive

3The ramp: accel and decel

Accel time = the time from 0 to max speed (or to rated frequency on some brands). Decel time = the time from max speed to 0. The time is proportional to the change in frequency.

Example: accel = 10 s from 0 to 50 Hz. The motor reaches 25 Hz in 5 s. If you make the accel far too short on a heavy load ⇒ an OC fault. If you make the decel far too short ⇒ an OV fault.

Drill: work out the ramp time

4Speeds and command source

Min frequency: for pumps, so they never run with no flow, and for a self-cooled motor, so it does not overheat at low speed for long periods.
Max frequency: do not exceed the limits of the motor, gearbox and pump. 60 Hz on a 50 Hz motor is usually possible, but with less torque.
Run command source: keypad, terminals (2-wire / 3-wire), or communication (Modbus, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET…).
Speed source: keypad pot, AI1, AI2, preset speeds, or communication.
Stop mode: ramp or coast (lesson 8).

The most common reason a motor «won't turn»: the run command comes from one place and the drive expects it from another. The moment you suspect it, check the command source and speed source parameters.

?Lesson quiz

Get at least 5 of 6 right to complete the lesson.

The numbers and examples here are common training values, and parameter and terminal names differ from brand to brand and model to model: your drive's manual is the reference. Your progress is saved on this device.
© 2026 LearnElectricals. All rights reserved. This site is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned (such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Delta, Schneider and others); names and trademarks belong to their owners and are used only to explain the devices.