DC Drives

DC drives are used when it is necessary to vary the speed of the driven load, either on a continuing basis or for a specific portion of the production cycle.

DC drives are manufactured in all sizes and horsepower's and, for the most part are available for use on supply voltages ranging from 115VAC to 600VAC.

Single phase drives are available in sizes ranging from small fractional, (i.e. 1/100HP, 1/6HP, etc.) to small integral HP in the upper limit range of 5HP. The smaller ones are usually manufactured for use on 115VAC while the upper limit drives require 230VAC as the single phase source. These drives are less sophisticated than their three phase counterparts, meaning there are less options available, but will do a VERY respectible job of varying the speed of a motor at a VERY reasonable price.

Three phase drives are available from fractional horsepower... usually in the 1/2HP lower limit to hundreds and even thousands of HP in the upper limit. The three phase drives have numerous additional capabilities. This is due to the usually more stringent requirements of the three phase industrial market and includes options like electronic overloads, signal followers, sophisticated current limiting devices, graphic interfaces, PLC interfaces, and too many others to mention.

Today's DC Drives normally have programmable interface devices that allow the user to modify many of the features of the drive through use of a "keypad" on the front of the drive. In addition, a large number of the manufacturers are using a "digital" interface on the front end which makes for easier computer control and better isolation of noise in the industrial environment.

A.R.& E. markets, services and repairs most brands of drives and handles the following DC Drives on a regular basis.

• Allen Bradley
• Cutler Hammer
• Fincor
• Leeson
• Reliance
• T.B. Woods

Call A.R.& E. applications engineers for your next DC Drive project. Or if you're having problems with an existing piece of equipment, give our service department a call. We'll have you up and running in no time!