Precision Electric – Your Source for VFDs, Motors, Phase Converters & Repair
Precision Electric, Inc. is a Mishawaka, Indiana-based industrial electronics distributor and service provider with over 40 years of industry experience. They offer high-quality products and expert solutions in electric motor controls and automation.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for Optimized Motor Control
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) precisely control AC motor speed by adjusting the frequency and voltage of the power supplied. They allow motors to run at the speed required by the load, leading to significant benefits in energy efficiency and equipment longevity. Slowing a fan or pump by 10% can cut energy consumption by about 25%, and reducing speed by half can reduce energy use by roughly 75%. VFDs often pay for themselves within a couple of years through lower electricity bills and reduced wear on mechanical components. Smoother motor acceleration and deceleration also extend machinery life by reducing stress on belts, gears, and bearings.
Precision Electric offers AC drives from manufacturers like ABB, Yaskawa, Hitachi, Eaton, and Lenze, ranging from fractional horsepower micro-drives to high-horsepower industrial drives. Modern VFDs feature built-in diagnostics, network communications, and application-specific functions. For example, ABB's ACS880 series drives use direct torque control, while Yaskawa drives offer high reliability and intuitive programming. Eaton and Lenze drives are known for user-friendly interfaces and robust performance.
Precision Electric assists customers in sizing and programming VFDs, providing guidance on proper installation, and implementing IEEE 519 harmonic mitigation for larger systems.
VFDs have proven valuable across industries. HVAC systems use VFDs on fans and pumps for dynamic flow adjustment, resulting in lower energy use and more stable temperatures. In manufacturing, VFDs on conveyor systems have improved startups and achieved approximately 30% energy savings.
Precision Electric's expertise ensures customers benefit from properly configured drives, including optimal acceleration rates, slip compensation, and protective features. They also support DC drives and can advise on the best choice between VFDs and DC drives for specific applications. Proper drive selection and settings improve process control and reduce downtime.
Soft Starters and Motor Control Solutions
For applications not requiring full variable speed control, Soft Starters limit inrush current and torque during motor startup. These solid-state devices gradually ramp up voltage to an AC motor, providing a gentle start and stop. This reduces mechanical shock and electrical surge, minimizing stress on couplings, gearboxes, and machinery, and reducing electrical stress on motor windings and the supply circuit. Soft starters extend motor lifespan and reduce maintenance. They help prevent water hammer in pumps and reduce belt wear in belt-driven systems. Soft starters also prevent large voltage dips, improving power quality and avoiding nuisance breaker trips.
Precision Electric provides soft starter units from brands like ABB and Eaton for various motor sizes. They assist in integrating soft starters for applications such as pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyors. In a municipal water pumping station, soft starters on large pumps prevented pressure surges and reduced coupling failures. In a grain elevator, soft starters on auger motors prevented shear pin breakage, improving reliability.
Soft starters are cost-effective and simpler than VFDs for startup control. They are typically smaller and bypassed after the motor reaches rated speed. Many soft starters include configurable start/stop profiles, current limit settings, and built-in motor protection functions. Precision Electric ensures soft starters are properly rated and configured to limit inrush current by 50-75% or more compared to direct-on-line starts, protecting the motor and the electrical system.
High-Performance AC Motors for Every Application
Precision Electric supplies premium-quality AC motors for industrial operations. AC induction motors come in sizes from fractional horsepower gearmotors to 500+ HP large motors. They help customers select the right motor based on horsepower, speed, torque, duty cycle, and efficiency ratings. High-efficiency AC motors (NEMA Premium® or IEC IE3/IE4) save energy, run cooler, and enhance reliability. Electric motors consume nearly half of the world's electricity, making efficient motors crucial for operating costs and sustainability.
Precision Electric offers general-purpose and specialized motors, including inverter-duty motors for VFDs, explosion-proof motors for hazardous locations, washdown-duty stainless steel motors for food processing, and servo and stepper motors for precision motion control.
They stock three-phase AC motors in common NEMA frame sizes (143T up through 449T) and IEC metric-frame motors. They can provide specific motors like 50 HP, 1800 RPM TEFC motors for conveyors or high-torque 1200 RPM motors for mixers. Motors are built to last with features like premium bearings, Class F or H insulation, cast iron frames, and thermistors for temperature monitoring.
Upgrading legacy motors to high-efficiency NEMA Premium models can improve efficiency by 1-4%, saving significant energy and cost. Industry studies suggest that upgrading all legacy motors to high-efficiency models could cut global electricity use by up to 10%.
Precision Electric also assists with synchronous motors, brake motors, and DC motors. They provide DC motor solutions and drives for applications like cranes and elevators. They also handle gearmotors for conveying and indexing applications, ensuring correct torque and speed output. All motors are backed by manufacturer warranties and technical support.
Phase Converters and Power Conversion Solutions
For facilities without three-phase utility power, Precision Electric offers Phase Converters to create three-phase power from a single-phase supply. This allows three-phase equipment to operate where only single-phase service is available.
They offer both rotary phase converters, which use an idler motor and capacitors to generate a third line of power, and modern digital phase converters. Digital phase converters and phase-converting VFDs use power electronics to create a balanced three-phase output with tighter voltage balance, suitable for sensitive CNC machines or electronics-heavy equipment.
Phase converters enable the use of three-phase milling machines, lathes, and pumps without expensive utility infrastructure upgrades. Precision Electric has supplied solutions to woodworking shops, farms, and restaurants. Their team assesses total load and starting requirements to recommend the appropriately sized converter. Using a phase converter can save significant costs compared to bringing in a new three-phase line and allows the use of more efficient and longer-lasting three-phase motors.
For applications like grain dryers or irrigation pumps, they integrate phase converters with Phase-Perfect digital controllers or special VFDs that accept single-phase input and provide three-phase output, offering both phase conversion and variable speed control. Precision Electric's experts guide customers through the pros and cons of each approach to find the optimal solution for their power needs, ensuring utility-grade power quality and protection from phase imbalance issues.
Expert Industrial Repair Services – Reduce Downtime and Save Money
Precision Electric offers comprehensive industrial repair services for drives, motors, and related electrical equipment, saving customers up to 70% on repair costs compared to buying new. Their repair capabilities cover AC and DC Drives, Soft Starters, Servo Drives, PLCs, Circuit Boards, AC and DC Motors, and more. Repairs are handled by experienced technicians using genuine OEM or high-quality replacement components.
They provide a 12-month in-service warranty on all repairs, meaning the warranty period starts upon installation. This ensures customers get full value from repairs with no downtime penalties.
For critical equipment like a 100 HP VFD that fails, a new replacement can cost tens of thousands of dollars with long lead times. Precision Electric can often repair such drives in days for a fraction of the cost. For example, they repaired a large DC drive unit for an automotive supplier, saving them roughly 60% of the cost of buying new and avoiding a long wait from the manufacturer. They also repaired a 200 kW servo spindle drive, identifying and fixing blown power transistors and a failed control board.
To prevent future downtime, many clients send in damaged or aging equipment for repair to keep as spares, allowing for immediate swap-in if a primary unit fails.
The Precision Electric Difference – Quality, Support, and Reliability
Precision Electric's mission is to be a one-stop solution for industrial electrical needs, combining top-tier products with exceptional support and service.
- Extensive Expertise: The team has decades of experience in drives, motors, and controls, staying current with the latest technologies from manufacturers like ABB, Yaskawa, Eaton, Lenze, and Hitachi. They advise on upgrading equipment or maintaining older systems, grounding recommendations in technical knowledge and real-world success stories.
- Commitment to Uptime: They maintain a fully stocked inventory of common drives, motor parts, and control components for quick shipping. Repair services are designed to minimize downtime, with many standard repairs turned around in 1-2 days. The 12-month in-service warranty provides peace of mind. Free repair quotes are offered upfront.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Precision Electric offers direct access to qualified professionals, avoiding voicemails. Their technical support can assist with installation questions, remote issue diagnosis, or dispatching a service team. This around-the-clock availability is crucial for customers operating 24/7.
- Quality Assurance: Sales and service activities adhere to high quality standards. Products are UL-listed and meet relevant IEEE/NEMA/IEC standards. Motor offerings comply with NEMA MG1 specifications, and drives meet UL 508C standards. Repair procedures follow ISO 9001-like processes, and repaired drives come with a full report of work done and test results.
References
- Precision Electric Inc. company profile (MapQuest/Infogroup) – “leading provider... With over 40 years of industry experience” MapQuest [MapQuest]
- Efficiency Vermont – Make the Most of Variable Frequency Drives (energy savings from speed control, VFD advantages) [Efficiency Vermont]
- Wistex Industrial: “Everything You Need to Know About Soft Starters” – (soft starters reduce mechanical/ electrical stress, limit inrush current, extend motor life) [Wistex Blog]
- Phase Technologies Inc.: Phase Conversion Basics – “produces three-phase electrical power from a single-phase source” (explanation of rotary and digital phase converters) [Phase Technologies]
- ABB Motors & Generators – Energy Efficiency overview (electric motors consume ~45% of the world's electricity; benefits of high-efficiency motors) [ABB Motors]
- Feed & Grain Magazine (Aug 2024) – ABB Energy Savings Calculator press release (global motor electricity usage and potential 10% savings with efficient tech) [Feed & Grain News]
