Yes and no. There are variable frequency drives that allow this but not all
You're wrong.
I suspected altering the frequency was the key, Voltage changes nothing,
A good one controls both frequency and voltage. The better ones even takeI suspected altering the frequency was the key, Voltage changes nothing,
probably not so much of a easy task to alter frequency of the motor,
unless you work for a large power company and alter the mains down to
around 25hz
This is accomplished with an inverter. The problem is that a 60 Hz (or 50
Hz) motor does not have enough iron in it to allow efficient 25 Hz
operation. The motor will run hot due to not having enough inductive
reactance at the reduced frequency. Dropping down to 10 Hz would make it
even worse. A motor designed for variable frequency drive has more iron.
Also, it might use a different iron/steel alloy to allow efficient
operation at higher frequencies (say 400 Hz).
With a light mechanical load and a good motor, it's sometimes possible to
get a reasonable speed range using a variable frequency inverter.
This is accomplished with an inverter. The problem is that a 60 Hz (or 50I suspected altering the frequency was the key, Voltage changes nothing,
probably not so much of a easy task to alter frequency of the motor,
unless you work for a large power company and alter the mains down to
around 25hz