In the industrial and commercial sectors, electric drives are devices that are connected to fixed electrical supply systems and provide variable electric power supplies for electric motor control.

Different electric drives are available to control different electric motor types such as DC motors, AC induction motors and AC permanent motors. Some electric drives can be applied to more than one type of motor.

Packaged drive solutions are electric drives mounted in industrial enclosures which are typically high power and available with a range of power and control accessories including HMIs, line reactors, fuse protection and cooling systems.

These large packaged AC drives are typically pre-engineered, configurable and provide robust and reliable solutions for motor control applications.

A variable frequency drive or VFD is an electronic controller used to vary the frequency applied to an AC motor in order to control the motor speed. Other names for such devices include variable speed drive or VSD, adjustable speed drive or ASD, electric drive and inverter.

VFDs are commonly used in automation systems for machine control and productivity and in building automation systems for energy savings.

An AC drive is a device that is used to control the speed of an AC motor. AC drives range from variable frequency drives for basic speed control to closed loop vector drives for precision speed and torque control.

AC drives are available with a wide range of control, feedback and networking options. Working with a trusted drive specialist is the best way to select the optimum drive for your application.

Motor control refers to devices that are used to control the torque, speed or position of an electric motor. Examples of electronic motor controls are...

• Soft starters that limit the electrical and mechanical shock applied to a system when an AC motor is started.
• VFDs and servo drives that control motor speed and position across the working design range of the motor.

It is important that the motor and motor controls are matched for long term reliable operation.

A DC drive is an electronic controller used to vary the voltage and current applied to a DC motor in order to control the motor speed and torque. Other names for such devices include variable speed drive or VSD, adjustable speed drive or ASD and electric drive.

DC drives are not commonly used in modern automation systems today but can be found in older machines.

The term motion control is commonly used to describe machinery where the position of the machine parts are controlled. Motion controllers can be in the form of standalone electronic hardware devices or embedded in PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), PCs or drives.

Servo drives and motors are most commonly used in these applications but AC drives and motors can also be used depending on the machine type.

A servo drive is an electronic controller used to precisely control the torque, speed and position of a servo motor or actuator in motion control applications. The term servo amplifiers is also used. Most servo drive systems include motor feedback devices that the servo drive uses to continuously vary its output to meet the machine demands.

A servo motor is a type of permanent magnet motor used most commonly in motion control positioning applications. Compared to standard AC induction motors servo motors are typically smaller and lighter and can be controlled for highly dynamic and high precision applications. Most servo motors are supplied with a feedback device for closed loop speed and position control systems.

Dynamic braking DC drives, like our KBPB Series, KBPC-240D, KBCC-125R, and KBCC-225R, contain a circuit that uses a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) and a power relay to reverse and stop a motor by dissipating its energy into a power resistor. Dynamic braking is built-in on the KBPB Series, KBCC-125R, and KBCC-225R. The KBPC-240D requires the APRM for dynamic braking (not supplied with the drive).

These drives are designed to provide anti-plug "instant" reversing with solid-state dynamic braking and rapid cycling but cannot control overhauling loads. Available in Chassis / IP20 and NEMA 4X / IP65 enclosures for permanent magnet and shunt wound DC motors.

Typical applications include back gauges, conveyors, door openers, feeders, indexers, pumps, robotics, screen presses, and tapping machines. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box.

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Four quadrant (4Q) regenerative DC drives, like our KBMG Series and KBRG Series, use a power circuit with Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) to reverse and stop a motor by sending its energy back into the AC line input.

These Chassis / IP20 drives provide forward and reverse torque in both speed directions, which allows the drive to maintain constant speed with overhauling loads and provides rapid reversing and controlled braking. Because of their excellent controllability and response time, these drives can replace servos in many applications. Designed to operate permanent magnet and shunt wound DC motors up to 3 HP.

Typical applications include conveyors, feeders, hoists, indexers, packaging machinery, positioners, textile equipment. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box.

SCR controls are DC drives, like our KBIC Series and KBMM Series. They use Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs), which are electronically controlled solid-state switches that vary the duty cycle of the full-wave DC voltage to control the motor speed.

These drives are easy to setup and operate and provide variable speed for permanent magnet and shunt wound DC motors up to 5 HP. Available in 115 Vac, 208/230 Vac, 115 and 208/230 Vac (dual voltage), 50/60 Hz, with 1-phase input. Some DC drives are equipped with KB's exclusive Plug-in Horsepower Resistor®, which eliminates the need for recalibrating IR comp and current limit when the drive is used on various horsepower motors. Enclosure types include Chassis / IP20, NEMA 1 / IP50, and NEMA 4X / IP65. The NEMA 4X / IP65 drives are housed in a rugged die-cast aluminium enclosure with a hinged cover. Optional accessories are available to meet the most demanding applications.

Typical applications include conveyors, door openers, exercise equipment, feeders, indexers, packaging machines, pumps, screening and printing equipment, and welding positioners. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box.

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Dynamic braking DC drives, like our KBPB Series, KBPC-240D, KBCC-125R, and KBCC-225R, contain a circuit that uses a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) and a power relay to reverse and stop a motor by dissipating its energy into a power resistor. Dynamic braking is built-in on the KBPB Series, KBCC-125R, and KBCC-225R. The KBPC-240D requires the APRM for dynamic braking (not supplied with the drive).

These drives are designed to provide anti-plug "instant" reversing with solid-state dynamic braking and rapid cycling but cannot control overhauling loads. Available in Chassis / IP20 and NEMA 4X / IP65 enclosures for permanent magnet and shunt wound DC motors.

Typical applications include back gauges, conveyors, door openers, feeders, indexers, pumps, robotics, screen presses, and tapping machines. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box.

Visit Our DC Drives Page

If the AC line voltage falls below specifications the drive cannot maintain the rated torque or power requirements. To prevent damage to the motor, the drive will shut down. When the voltage returns to a safe limit, the drive, depending on presets and programming, will automatically restart or may require a manual restart.

Ground fault circuit interruptors (GFCIs) will trip when used with most AC drives. KB’s AC drives contain special software to allow them to operate with GFCI circuits. This is a standard feature on our Digital AC drives and optional, with factory programming, on all AC hybrid drives. Third generation (3G) only.

Four quadrant (4Q) regenerative DC drives, like our KBMG Series and KBRG Series, use a power circuit with Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) to reverse and stop a motor by sending its energy back into the AC line input. These drives can control overhauling loads.

Dynamic braking DC drives, like our KBPB Series and KBPC-240D, contain a circuit that uses a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) and a power relay to reverse and stop a motor by dissipating its energy into a power resistor. These drives cannot control overhaling loads. Dynamic braking is built-in on the KBPB Series. The KBPC-240D requires the APRM for dynamic braking (not supplied with the drive).

NEMA enclosures, in general, are designed to prevent electrical shock by protecting the user from incidental contact with the components contained within. KB’s NEMA 1 drives provide a degree of protection against falling dirt. They are equipped with knockouts for standard electrical fittings. KB’s NEMA 4X drives are constructed with a rugged die-cast aluminium enclosure with a hinged cover. They offer watertight integrity, which makes them ideal for harsh washdown indoor or outdoor applications. They are equipped for use with liquidtight electrical fittings.