AC Drives control multiple motors

[Mcyoda]

I am building conveyor belts will be using one AC drive to control 4 motors. I like to install switch between each motor after the AC drive, so each motor is independent control. I know all the speed will be the same but would it damage the AC drive or the motors if I do that. So if there is no products on the belt I am able to it on/off to save energy.

In theory is should be okay but since I am new to AC drives.

Any experts like to share their experiences.

Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Is this AC drive a VFD are you using an AC servo unit controlling servo motors?
For VFD, it is preferable to not have any switching device between the VFD and the motor, You should however be able to do this as long as you take steps to make sure the VFD is at zero speed, most have configurable relay outputs to indicate this, this output relay could interlock with the switching method to ensure that the VFD has zero output before switching.
With servo drives, the concerns are the same but you do not generally have zero speed indication.
If you are controlling converyors then I assume it is VFD control?
Al.

[Mcyoda]

Sorry, I wasn't clear about the is an AC Inverter, not AC Drive. I don't know that make any difference. It is not servo motor but a 3 phases motor.

Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Then the details on using a VFD apply.
But re-reading your post it would appear that you want to control all motors from one source and just switch them in or out as needed?
This may prove impractical as you need the condition I mentioned, i.e., to only do switching at zero speed, if you switch a motor in after the VFD has ramped up, you will put the VFD into momentary overload.
I have used a suitable sized VFD to control two motors, but they are connected all the time.
Al.