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indicator. If an over current fault condition occurs, the indicator will change to blinking red;
the text will also change to red, and the message will indicate “Over Current Fault”.
Fault Condition and Current Limit:
Hardware
– The trip level is determined by the threshold voltage (1.66V) at the input of
comparator U5:B, set by resistors R30 and R35. With a gain of 4, set by U5:A, this
becomes 0.415V (1.66V/4). When this voltage is across shunt resistor R2, the
corresponding current is 0.415V/0.2
, or 2.075A at output “FAULTA”. Therefore, the
maximum safe current limit for the hardware is 2.1A.
Firmware
– This current feedback limit at output U5:A (IDC) is converted to voltage, filtered
and fed into the microcontroller’s A/D port. The microcontroller detects when this limit is
exceeded and determines when to shutdown the PWM signals if an actual over current
condition occurs.
Set Speed:
The user can set the target run speed for the motor with this spin box by either
direct entry or using the up/down controls. The motor speed can be changed while the
motor is rotating. Since the algorithm is an open loop type, actual speed may vary
depending on motor parameters and actual load.
Direction:
The direction indicator is shown with a left and right arrows, and text of the
motor revolution to the default direction. The motor direction can be changed from either
clockwise or counterclockwise while the motor is rotating. Doing so, the motor will ramp
down and then ramp back up in the opposite direction.
DC Bus Current:
This displays the current drawn for the DC Bus in Amperes. Information
is given in analog gauge and digital (text) format. As with the speed display, the different
color zones represent average safe and hazardous operating ranges, based on the Current
Limit defined in the Setup window. The actual safe operating range should be determined
from the motor’s nameplate and maximum current rating of the power module being used.
The maximum current rating of the modules used with this Reference Design Kit are as
follows:
IR3101: 1.6A
IR3103: 0.8A
IR3104: 0.5A
Run/Stop:
Allows the user to start and stop the motor. Entering the desired speed value
in the Set Speed display and pressing the <Enter> key will also start the motor.
To start the motor, click on the Run button and observe that the motor skips twice before it
starts rotating in full speed. This is to allow the hall sensors to be aligned in the proper
position before the motor fully accelerates.