VFD Vibes

When you hear the word inverter, you probably picture the output section of a VFD. But inverters also play a critical role in solar power, where they turn the DC from the panels into AC the grid can use.

Host Greg Weichman and guest Bob Bonsar, who focuses on Yaskawa Solectria Solar products in Yaskawa’s training department, step outside the traditional VFD world to compare the two. They cover what a solar inverter does, how it compares with the inverter inside a VFD, and why it has to stay locked to the grid. Along the way, they get into maximum power point tracking, anti-islanding, power factor, utility-scale installations, and how battery storage is changing the picture. They also look at how Yaskawa’s power electronics experience carried over into solar.

Whether you work with drives every day or are just curious about what happens between a solar panel and the grid, this episode shows how much the two worlds have in common.

02:19 Solar Inverter Basics and DC to AC

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Permanent magnet motors are becoming increasingly common in industrial applications, offering higher efficiency, greater power density, and unique design flexibility. But how do they really differ from the induction motors we’ve relied on for decades?

In this episode of VFD Vibes, Greg is joined by Yaskawa’s Kenan Wang to break down how permanent magnet motors work, their advantages and tradeoffs, and where they make the most sense. They also dive into what makes controlling a PM motor with a VFD different. From synchronization and vector control to motor tuning and encoder feedback, learn what it takes to get the best performance from a PM motor application.

02:03 Permanent Magnet Motors Explained

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What happens after the internship ends? Host Greg Weichman talks with three Yaskawa employees who started their careers as interns and went on to grow into leadership roles across the company. From technical support and engineering labs to product development and channel management, each guest shares how their internship experience helped shape their career path.

You’ll hear firsthand stories about meaningful projects, hands-on learning, mentorship, customer interaction, and the real-world challenges that accelerated their growth. Along the way, the conversation explores how internships build technical skills, professional confidence, and long-term relationships that can influence an entire career.

Whether you're a student considering an internship, an engineer early in your career, or a company thinking about talent development, this episode offers practical advice and real examples of how internships can become something much bigger.

00:59 Josh From Intern to Channel Manager

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Internships are more than just summer jobs—they’re the starting point for real careers. Host Greg Weichman sits down with Nancy Flowers to break down how internship programs benefit both students and employers, and what makes Yaskawa’s approach stand out. With nearly two decades at Yaskawa and years of experience leading the intern program, Nancy shares how the company builds long-term talent pipelines through hands-on experience, mentorship, and meaningful work.

From how students find internships and stand out in the application process to how Yaskawa recruits, gathers feedback, and continuously improves the program, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what a modern internship should be. Whether you're a student exploring your first opportunity or an employer thinking about developing future talent, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world perspective.

01:29 Internships: More Than Just a Summer Job

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When low voltage VFDs reach their limits, medium voltage takes over. Host Greg Weichman and guest Tim Scheidell break down what medium voltage (MV) really means and how MV VFDs differ from low voltage drives in system design, internal topology, commissioning, safety, and real-world applications.

With Tim’s experience working with large-scale drive systems, they explore multi-level architectures, power cells, harmonic performance, maintenance expectations, and the industries that depend on MV solutions. Whether you're new to medium voltage or evaluating when it makes sense to move beyond 480V systems, this episode gives you the clarity needed to understand where MV fits and why it matters.

02:23 What Counts as Medium Voltage

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In a world of fast shipping, online marketplaces, and shifting customer expectations, does the traditional distribution model still deliver? Host Greg Weichman sits down with Josh Julius, Yaskawa’s Industrial Channel Manager, to explore why the channel partner model remains a strategic cornerstone and what makes this model so powerful in the industrial automation space.

With over a decade of experience at Yaskawa, Josh shares real-world examples, challenges, and behind-the-scenes insights into what makes a great channel partner, how Yaskawa supports its network, and the growing risks of the gray market. They discuss the importance of local inventory, industry expertise, solution selling, and trust—showing how distribution partners act as force multipliers in delivering value to customers.

Whether you’re a distributor, an end user, or just curious about how the industrial supply chain really works, this episode breaks it all down.

03:17 Understanding the Distribution Partner Model

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Getting the most out of your drive goes far beyond the purchase. Host Greg Weichman breaks down what really makes a difference — from installation and motor selection to tuning, cooling, and preventative maintenance — all in order to help you extend the life of your VFD and maximize efficiency. Inspired by an article from Yaskawa technical training expert Paul Avery, this episode explores how proper setup, smart features, and simple upkeep can dramatically improve performance and ROI.

Whether you’re an installer, end user, or sales professional, this episode offers a high-level guide to better drive reliability, energy savings, and system longevity. Tune in to learn how a few key best practices can turn your VFD into a long-term advantage for your operation.

02:08 Importance of Proper Installation

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Getting grounding and bonding right isn’t just about meeting electrical code — it’s about protecting your equipment, preventing EMI, and keeping your VFDs running the way they should. In this episode of VFD Vibes, host Greg Weichman welcomes back application engineer Joe Pottebaum to break down what proper grounding and bonding really mean.

Joe explains the difference between system ground, equipment ground, and protective earth — and why confusing these terms can lead to nuisance trips, premature failures, or even dangerous conditions. You’ll also hear best practices for grounding VFDs and motors, insights on shielded cable vs. conduit wiring, and a real-world look at problems like ground loops, noise, and EMI.

With decades of field experience, Joe shares practical advice for installers, engineers, and troubleshooters alike — showing how good grounding and bonding choices can prevent costly downtime and extend the life of your drives.

02:07 Defining Grounding and Bonding

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Not all three-phase power systems are created equal — and the wrong setup can spell trouble for your VFDs. In this episode of VFD Vibes, host Greg Weichman sits down with application engineer Joe Pottebaum to unpack the world of power system configurations and their impact on variable frequency drive applications.

From the fundamentals of single-phase versus three-phase power to the nuances of wye, delta, corner-grounded, and high-resistance grounded systems, Greg and Joe cover the configurations you’re most likely to encounter in the field — and the implications each has for your installation. You’ll hear how these systems evolved, why grounding strategy matters, and what can go wrong if you don’t match your VFD to the supply.

Along the way, Joe shares field-tested advice on dealing with imbalanced systems, open-delta supplies, and ungrounded installations — plus how Yaskawa drives are built to handle real-world conditions that challenge other brands. Whether you’re an installer, engineer, or troubleshooting tech, this episode gives you the knowledge to spot risks before you press “Start.”

01:54 Single Phase vs. Three Phase Power

Technical training doesn’t just support our products—it empowers the people who use them. Host Greg Weichman sits down with John Autero, Manager of Technical Training Services at Yaskawa, for an inside look at how the company delivers hands-on education across drives, motion, and solar technologies.

John shares how Yaskawa built a training program from the ground up—offering everything from e-learning and virtual classes to in-person workshops and a full-fledged technical roadshow. With decades of experience and a passion for teaching, he explains why great training isn’t just about what’s taught, but how it’s delivered. Whether you're brand new to VFDs or a seasoned field tech looking to sharpen your skills, this episode reveals how Yaskawa's training services help teams learn faster, troubleshoot smarter, and stay up to speed.

01:03 Meet John Autero: Shaping Yaskawa's Training Programs

To dive in visit training.yaskawa.com

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