June 3, 2019 Industrial Machinery

Understanding the difference between DC and AC drives.

May 30, 2019

When it comes to keeping your industrial machinery running in its best condition, there’s a lot you will want to think about.

First of all, you will need to determine which type of drive you want to invest in. Getting any drive you find can end up harming your machinery in the long run, especially if it is not compatible with the way you use the machine. This means that it is important for you to think about which drive you want.

There are two main drives that you will want to consider: AC drives and DC drives.

Each drive has its own benefits over another drive, and each drive will work better in another situation than the other drive will. However, before you can begin to compare the two, you will need to understand the difference between these two drives.

What Is the Difference Between DC and AC Drives?

As you might be able to imagine, the difference between AC and DC drives is actually fairly simple. The AC and DC in the name stands for the type of power being used. For instance, a DC drive will convert an AC motor into one that produces DC power instead. Likewise, an AC drive will convert a DC motor into one that produces AC power.

Depending on the type of machinery you are working with and what your industrial business needs to do by the end of the day, an AC drive might be better suited to your needs. On the other hand, you might find that a DC drive is actually better for your needs. Because of this, it is important for you to figure out which type of drive would suit the needs of your industry best.

Which One Is Better Suited for Your Needs?

Understanding which drive is better for your machinery comes down to what you need. An AC drive will give you more control over the speed of the machine’s motor. If you are working a job where you either need or want to have more precise control over the machine’s electrical motor, then you are going to want to start looking for an AC drive.

Typically, machines that require precision over power can benefit more from an AC drive than a DC drive. This explains why industrial automation suppliers like FactoryMation offer such a wide range of AC drives. The demand for these devices is simply higher. Similarly, if you are looking to save money on electrical bills and increase energy efficiency, you will want to look at an AC drive as well.

On the other hand, DC drives are well known for their high startup torque, having simple circuits, and providing a constant speed. If you are looking for a drive that will allow your machine to have a powerful start, one that is easy to work with, even if you are not well versed in circuitry, then a DC drive is something that you should begin to look at.

Something else that you will want to pay attention to is the fact that a DC drive will allow you to keep your electrical motor running at a constant speed throughout the days.

For many people, and purposes, having a motor run at a constant speed improves efficiency, as you don’t have to waste time and manpower altering the speed of the fan based on the task at hand.

All you have to do is turn the machine on, make sure the circuitry is good to go, and you can leave it running. This gives you more time and resources to make sure that other parts of your industrial business are running as they should.

To put it simply, an AC drive is best for companies that want to have precision and control over power and efficiency. If your job can benefit from spending more time to be precise, then you should be looking into an AC drive that fits your machinery.

If you value efficiency and ease of use over precision, then a DC drive is going to be best for you. These drives are easier for everyone to use, and they allow you to focus more on other aspects of your business.

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