Open class dates available VIEW SCHEDULE
Available for onsite training GET A QUOTE

This customized 5-day training course will certify that your electrical workers are qualified to safely and effectively work on motor control circuits and VFD installations. It is 90% hands-on and will give your staff the knowledge and skills to troubleshoot motors, motor control systems, troubleshoot and program a variety of VFDs. This hands-on course is taught in our Lab 3.1, a full-size highway trailer that has been customized for this training and can be brought to your facility. Your workers will test and diagnose a multitude of three phase motors with internal faults using IR, DW, WR, impedance and surge testers, and troubleshoot a variety of faulted panels and MCC systems.



Your workers will program VFD’s from ABB, Allen-Bradley, Cutler-Hammer, Danfoss, Eaton, Mitsubishi, Sinamics, Telemecanique and Toshiba and analyze VFD’s from Delta, Hitachi, Honeywell, Omron, Teco-Westinghouse, Trane, Weg and Yaskawa. 4 custom designed hydraulic systems are built into our lab to teach your workers how to program constant and variable torque loads with the capability to measure pressure, flow, overload each system and cavitate the pumps.

This broad exposure will give your workers the competence to open the manual for any VFD, set the required parameters and analyze problems. Your systems will be integrated into this program at no extra cost to you. It is common for workers to recognize current problems and realize opportunities for improvements to their systems during this training. We are ISO 9001 certified and authorized to provide CEU’s for this training. Since 1980 we have trained over 25,000 students.

Special attention is provided to the deadliness of VFD’s and how to work with them safely.

Next VFD Essentials: Programming, Maintenance and Motor Control Troubleshooting Courses
March 24 – 28, 2025 Edmonton, AB OR25063 $3199.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
May 26 – 30, 2025 Edmonton, AB OR25152 $3199.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
August 25 – 29, 2025 Edmonton, AB OR25241 $3199.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
October 20 – 24, 2025 Saskatoon, SK OR25293 $3199.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
View schedule
  • Kyle Lessard, City of Ottawa
    This course was very informative in a concise way. The labs were good hands-on practice, carried out in a safe way. I did learn some new things, and overall, I believe this course was useful.
  • Arkadiusz Reczka, Alberta Health Services
    This course is excellent. You get to work on a wide variety of VFDs. The instructor is knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and easy to talk to.
  • Brian Ethier, Enbridge
    "This course gives me a better knowledge of setting up new VFD's that I wasn't familiar with. I feel more confident with taking a new VFD and programming in the necessary inputs and operating units. Thanks Jim!!
  • Adam Yuill, Syncrude Canada Ltd
    This course was very information packed. It was a very thorough introduction to VFDs. It made understanding how a VFD operates easily understandable. The variety of VFD's available for lab use was sufficient to get a wide understanding how to wire controls + program them for the various controls.
  • Kelsey Dick, Yara Belle Plaine Inc.
    Very well laid out, delivered in a clear manner. There was plenty of time to work through problems and find solutions. There was a decent selection of drives to work with as well.

Course topics

I. VFD Hazards

Objective: Work safely around and with VFDs to protect yourselves, others and your facility.

II. VFD Applications

Objective: Recognize applications where VFDs will benefit your facility

III. VFD Connections

Objective: Install a VFD

View all topics

I. VFD Hazards

Objective: Work safely around and with VFDs to protect yourselves, others and your facility.

  • Human Dangers
  • System Dangers
  • Protecting Yourself, Others and Your System

II. VFD Applications

Objective: Recognize applications where VFDs will benefit your facility

  • Energy Savings
  • Process Control
  • Client Systems

III. VFD Connections

Objective: Install a VFD

  • Drive Components
  • VFD Wiring
  • VFD Reference Signals
  • Test Points

IV. VFD 1: Telemecanique Operation

Objective: Install and program a Telemecanique VFD

  • VFD Programming
  • Standard Operation
  • Advanced Operation

V. VFD Braking

Objective: Provide braking to a VFD

  • Standard Braking Method
  • Alternative Braking Methods

VI. VFDs 2-7 Motor Control Projects

Objective: Install and program a variety of VFDs

  • VFD 2: Sinamics
  • VFD 3: Allen-Bradley
  • VFD 4: Cutler Hammer
  • VFD 5: Mitsubishi
  • VFD 6: ABB
  • VFD 7: Danfoss

VII. VFDs 8 & 9 Constant Torque and Variable Torque Loads

Objective: Install and program VFDs to control constant and variable torque loads

  • Application Curves
  • Constant Torque Practical Projects
  • Variable Torque Practical Projects

VIII. VFD Control Schemes (Customized to Your Facility)

Objective: Maintain and troubleshoot a variety of VFD control schemes

  • Control Modes
  • Feedback Loops
  • Closed Loop and PID
  • VFD Control Schemes

IX. Literature Review of VFDs 10 - 17

Objective: Determine how to program, test and troubleshoot any VFD

  • VFD 10 - Delta
  • VFD 11 - Hitachi
  • VFD 12 - Honeywell
  • VFD 13 - Omron
  • VFD 14 - Teco-Westinghouse
  • VFD 15 - Trane
  • VFD 16 - Weg
  • VFD 16 - Yaskawa

X. Medium Voltage Drives (Inhouse Option Only)

Objective: Program, maintain and troubleshoot client MV VFD system problems

  • Client Drive

XI. System Problems

Objective: Identify and troubleshoot VFD system problems

  • Drive Protection
  • System Protection
  • Motor Protection
  • Installation

XII. VFD Maintenance

Objective: Perform predictive maintenance on VFD systems

  • Standard Maintenance
  • Advanced Maintenance
  • VFD 18 Liquid Cooled VFDs

XIII. Motor and VFD System Failure Modes

Objective: Identify the failure modes of motor and VFD systems

  • System Troubleshooting
  • Three Phase Motor Construction

XIV. Commissioning

Objective: Commission a VFD

  • Acceptance Testing

XV. Testing and Troubleshooting

Objective: Test and troubleshoot motor and VFD systems

  • Test Variable Frequency Drives
  • Three Phase Motor Testing
  • Troubleshoot Motor Control Circuits

ENTER YOUR LOCATION AND PICK SEARCH RADIUS

SELECT DATE RANGE

  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Jan
    2026
  • Feb

Next VFD Essentials: Programming, Maintenance and Motor Control Troubleshooting Courses

Date City & prov Venue Code
March 24 – 28, 2025 Edmonton , AB Hampton Inn Edmonton/Sherwood Park OR25063 Register
May 26 – 30, 2025 Edmonton , AB Hampton Inn Edmonton/Sherwood Park OR25152 Register
August 25 – 29, 2025 Edmonton , AB Hampton Inn Edmonton/Sherwood Park OR25241 Register
October 20 – 24, 2025 Saskatoon , SK RS Breaker & Controls OR25293 Register
There are no results. Please expand your search query.
  • Daniel Chartier

    Years of Experience
    34

    Daniel Chartier travaille comme ingénieur électrique depuis près de 30 ans, et est spécialisé en automatisation et contrôles. Il a travaillé dans des fonderies d'aluminium et les mines, dans l'emballage, les stations de pompage et dans la construction d'usines thermiques (District Cooling) au cours des ans. Il a été responsable du développement de formations de sécurité dans...

    • Simon-Paul Comeau, Graves Electrical
      Daniel is full of knowledge and I felt like he really cares about our safety.
    • Cameron Dennis, Capital Power Corperation
      Daniel was an excellent instructor and knew what things to go into more detail about.
    • Steve Carnevale, University of Toronto
      Daniel was very informative as well as keeping the guys engaged in conversations regarding real-life scenarios
    See Daniel Chartier CV
  • Wayne Jeffrey

    Years of Experience
    43

    Wayne joined Canada Training Group with over 40 years of knowledge and experience in the Electrical and Instrumentation industry. As a Master Electrician and Journeyman Instrument Mechanic, Wayne offers a unique perspective to training that provides solid theory with practical applications gained through years of work in the industry. Wayne’s oilfield and agriculture experience encompasses maintenance...

    • Hayden Berg, Fortis Mining Engineering and Manufacturing
      Wayne was very knowledgeable and did a good job making the content digestible and engaging.
    • Jeffrey Farrell, Canfor Pulp
      Wayne was well educated on the course material. He spoke clearly and responded well to student feedback.
    • Adam LeChasseur, GCT Deltaport
      Wayne Jeffrey was by far the best instructor I've ever had in any electrical training session I've taken before.
    See Wayne Jeffrey CV
  • Dave Cox

    Years of Experience
    45

    Dave began his career in commercial high rises in Calgary. He then spent time working industrial oilfield maintenance electrical in Alberta followed by General Motors in Oshawa Ontario, Koch fertilizer and Husky Oil in Manitoba, Baffin Island at an iron ore mine and commissioning in the Alberta oildsands sector.Dave is also an avid whitewater rafting professional, and has served as a guide in Ontario...

    • Amendeep Rana, Global Container Group
      Dave was a great teacher. He had great communication with students and listened very well to what we had to say. He answered any questions we had. Very organized 10 out of 10, I definitely recommend him.
    • Carson Jeffrey, Alberta Health Services
      Dave was able to answer any of my questions and did not rush any parts of the course, which gave me the time I needed to understand and complete each exercise.
    • Matt Teeuwsen, Sherritt
      David Cox Was a great instructor with lots of electrical knowledge. He conducted his class with ease, and answered all our questions. If he didn't know, he found the answer for us either that day or the next.
    See Dave Cox CV
  • Richard Stickel

    Years of Experience
    36

    Richard Stickel worked at the Canfor Taylor Pulp Mill for 33 years. He has worked in operations, electrical and industrial instrumentation maintenance, construction in the oil and gas field and airport electrical construction. He holds dual journeyman certification as an electrician as well as an instrument mechanic. He is a 4th class power engineer.As a technician Richard was involved with construction...

    • Nathan Ferrish, Syncrude
      Richard was knowledgeable about the course topics and was able to provide real-world experience when he encountered troubles with the drives. He was easy to talk to, approachable, and honest with his answers.
    • Aaron Belanger, Syncrude
      Richard was very knowledgeable of the subject and provided personal experiences to back it up.
    • Mike Strachan, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
      Richard was a very good instructor that answered all my questions and if he didn't know the answer he found it in a timely manner
    See Richard Stickel CV
  • Jim Roberts

    Years of Experience
    45

    Jim Roberts brings over 43 years of experience in the electrical field. A graduate from the Georgian College Electrical Engineering program, he started his career at Toronto Hydro Electrical Systems as a High Voltage Underground Cable Fault Technician then proceeded to Toronto Transit Commission where he obtained his red seal 309A electrical license and became a Maintenance/Construction Electrician...

    • Jordan Winters, Littelfuse
      Jim has a lot of experience and thus a great insight on how to do work safely in a lot of situations and can convey this to people with very different jobs in a way that is easy to understand.
    • Richards Rogers, Daam Galvanizing
      "Jim was a very good teacher, super knowledgeable and patient. He did not cut corners and took the time to make sure everyone was 100% on topic."
    • Colin Aucoin, Blu Earth Renewables
      Jim is a fantastic instructor. He is very knowledgeable and provides practical examples that make the material easier to understand
    See Jim Roberts CV
  • Tim Dacey

    Years of Experience
    43

    Tim brings 42 years of experience in operations at various public and private utility companies starting with SaskPower in the late 70’s where he apprenticed as an electrician earning his Interprovincial Journeyman’s Electrician certification in the early 80’s. He continued to work as a Station Electrician for the next decade prior to moving into natural gas compression and transmission...

    Expertise

    • David Stojkovic, simpson strong tie
      Tim knows what he's talking about and knows how to share that information.
    • Mitch Gunter, DND Trenton
      The instructor was very well-spoken. Gave lots of examples from the wide range of experience he has had. He took the time to make sure everyone was on track and understanding what we were doing.
    • Chad, KLTP
      Tim provided useful tools to help me work safely around electricity.
    See Tim Dacey CV
  • The instructor was very knowledgeable about VFDs and the material. The course was very informative and hands-on. I would recommend this course to other people

    Aaron Brown, Modern Niagara
  • This course was very informative in a concise way. The labs were good hands-on practice, carried out in a safe way. I did learn some new things, and overall, I believe this course was useful.

    Kyle Lessard, City of Ottawa
  • The instructor is very knowledgeable and right to the point. I was able to learn how to troubleshoot VFD problems. Program highly recommended to all.

    Kris Samociuk, City of Ottawa
  • The course provided essential information on the functions of VFD's in industrial applications.

    Gord Smith, Alberta Health Services
  • "This course gives me better knowledge of setting up new VFD's that I wasn't familiar with. I feel more confident with taking a new VFD and programming in the necessary inputs and operating units."

    Brian Ethier, Enbridge Pipelines
  • I really enjoyed this course. The lab-to-lecture ratio was perfect, a lot of time in the lab working on different equipment.

    Colin Rowsell, Syncrude
  • The course was educational. It's a great introduction to the use of VFDs. I would recommend this to people with little to no experience.

    Jacob Lazariuk, Fortis Mining Engineering and Manufacturing
  • This course is excellent. You get to work on a wide variety of VFDs. The instructor is knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and easy to talk to.

    Arkadiusz Reczka, Alberta Health Services
  • This course is great for experienced or non-experienced VFD electricians. Great learning environment. I learned a lot, would highly recommend it.

    Tyson Hunt, Syncrude
  • This course is helpful in familiarizing yourself with different VFD's, and it helps gain confidence when programming and configuring VFD's it also helps one gain understanding of how to troubleshoot more quickly.

    Austin Hudey, Alberta Health Services
  • I found the course material well laid out, along with the labs. Wayne was really helpful throughout the labs and presented the information very well.

    Kent Whitehead, Jomax Drilling
  • I found the course to be informative and helpful. Particularly the access to different VFD brands and types. It helps give a better understanding of how drives work and what to look for in troubleshooting.

    Jake, Syncrude
  • "This course gives me a better knowledge of setting up new VFD's that I wasn't familiar with. I feel more confident with taking a new VFD and programming in the necessary inputs and operating units. Thanks Jim!!

    Brian Ethier, Enbridge
  • Very hands on course. It was nice to get to work with the various brands of VFDs.

    Blair Fitzpatrick Yara Belle Plaine Inc.,
  • The course was an eye-opener and taught us the basic complex application of the VFD drives. I highly recommend this course to any electricians who work on VFD

    Dominader Pader, Syncrude
  • "This was a great presentation that encouraged participation and hands on training. They also covered a variety of VFD's. The instructors gave you the time needed to go through topics.

    Aideen Gama, Nestle Waters Canada
  • Great course and very informative. I like the hands-on part and going through all the different VFDs. In-depth with the components and operation of VFDs.

    Darrel Moore, City of Ottawa
  • "Good course for electricians with little to no experience with VFD's and Motor Troubleshooting."

    Parry Arnell, West Fraser
  • I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I was able to get hands-on with a lot of equipment that I don't normally have access to

    Trent Barnes, Syncrude
  • It was a great course for hands-on learning.

    Blaire Teodler, SaskPower
  • "I learnt a lot in this course. I came into it with very limited VFD experience, I feel that I am able to troubleshoot and repair VFD problems without any help now."

    Chris Hamm, LP Peace Valley OSB
  • The course itself is structured well, interactivity with physical hardware is a strong plus for this type of training.

    Andrew Kazmirchuk, City of Ottawa
  • Very good course. I learned a lot about similar drives to the ones we work with on-site, which is a big help for troubleshooting

    Zack Madore, Syncrude
  • Our instructor did a good job explaining the course and answering questions we had. The hands on of different VFD types was great because you could see all the little/big differences among them.

    Tyler Skutelnik, Alberta Health Services
  • "Good course, good instructor. The VFD testing and oscilloscope monitoring was very useful. The faulty VFD testing and analysis was very interesting.

    Vasiliy Kornienko, Aggreko Canada
  • "Very well put together. I learned a lot about multiple VFD's, mainly the basics of programming them and setting up simple operations. I found it valuable to be able to work through many brands of VFD's.

    Mathew Abram, Government of Nunavut
  • This course was very information packed. It was a very thorough introduction to VFDs. It made understanding how a VFD operates easily understandable. The variety of VFD's available for lab use was sufficient to get a wide understanding how to wire controls + program them for the various controls.

    Adam Yuill, Syncrude Canada Ltd
  • During the course we acquired good general knowledge about VFD's and good understanding of connecting and standing them up.

    Frank Arcand, Foothills Hospital
  • Throughout the week, we became more comfortable with setting various parameters. I believe knowing the basic settings to get a VFD started will help us when troubleshooting, as well as how to test the IGBT's.

    Rob Baker, Foothills Hospital
  • This course had a good ratio of classroom to hands-on learning. I enjoyed the different VFDs and the time we got to tinker with all of them. Tests and troubleshooting all the individual components will help me out at work.

    Jeff Barfoot, Syncrude
  • "Very good instructor. Great stories relevant to training. A lot of hands on experience where the instructor would help to guide me through the course without "helping too much". I will recommend to co-workers.

    Scott MacLeod, City of Red Deer
  • The instructor was good. He is knowledgeable and easy to get along with. The trailer lab was well set up and supplied for the course.

    Nathan Lamothe, Carrier Forest Products
  • I came in with a very limited experience with VFD's. I have enjoyed this past week because I feel I have learned a great deal. The course gave me confidence to work with VFD's.

    Brund Caron, Alberta Health Services
  • It was a great course. Wayne was good at relaying information to us. My knowledge about VFD's was limited, but now I feel very confident working with VFD's

    Bradley Riddoch, Department of National Defense
  • "Excellent instruction, I feel more comfortable operating a variety of VFD's. The motor control troubleshooting was a good refresher."

    Tyler Gelowitz, SUEZ Canada Waste
  • Very well laid out, delivered in a clear manner. There was plenty of time to work through problems and find solutions. There was a decent selection of drives to work with as well.

    Kelsey Dick, Yara Belle Plaine Inc.
  • The course was very interactive. It had lots of hands on work. Examples of VFD hookups were practical. Without a lot of experience with VFD I found that there was good practical info. Its nice to learn control CCTs and where controls are hooked up.

    Chris Brand, Alberta Health Services
  • "This course was great to expand knowledge of VFD's and their functions. Learning how they are built and how they work is beneficial in knowing how to troubleshoot and diagnose. Having a variety of makes and models of VFD's to learn on helps expand knowledge of what to look for when installing and troubleshooting...

    Dan Kemmere, Tykem Electric Ltd.
  • This was an excellent course. The class material was well explained and was easily applied to the lab activities. The course would be excellent for any electrician who works on VFD's or other types of high voltage motor drives

    Richard Norman, Syncrude
  • I found the course helpful in understanding how VFD works and feeling more comfortable with programming drives.

    Aaron Staudinger, Syncrude

No itinerary information available!

Subscribe to Mind Your Safety + Get course alerts for your area!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.