Frequently Asked Questions
Agency Approvals and Certifications
Applications
Purchasing
Technical Drive Features
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Q: What is UL compliance? A: UL compliance is the adherence to the strict safety test requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). We offer products that are UL Listed or UL Recognized. Our products bearing the UL Listed mark comply with US and Canadian UL safety requirements. UL Listed drives are designed with UL Listed components and evaluated, as a whole, to exceed rigorous safety testing requirements. Our products bearing the UL Recognized mark are designed with UL Listed components but not evaluated, as a whole, because these may be components themselves as parts of other equipment. Visit the Underwriters Laboratories Page for More Info On UL Marks |
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Q: What is CE Compliance? A: CE compliance is the European Community (CE) directive that our products comply with the strict requirements of the European Economic Area (EEA) for safety, health, and environmental protection to be sold throughout the EEA. Our products bearing the CE mark are components intended to be installed in a system or a machine and meet all the CE requirements when used in accordance with all directives. Compliance of the system, as a whole, is the responsibility of the system integrator for the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and 2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive. |
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Q: What is CSA compliance? A: CSA compliance is the adherence to the requirements of the CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association). Which is a global leader dedicated to safety, social good, and sustainability. They provide Standards Development services as well as Testing, Inspection, and Certification worldwide including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia. |
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Q: How Does Using a Variable Speed Drive Reduce Energy Consumption? A: Installing a variable speed drive allows direct control of the motor output speed to meet the application demands. As the speed is reduced, the power required decreases. By operating the system at the lowest possible speed required for the application, energy consumption is reduced. For example, at 80 percent speed, only 51 percent of full load power is required to drive a pump or a fan. View our entire line of AC Drives |
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Q: How Do I Differentiate a Standard KB Electronics Part Number and an OEM Specific Part Number? A: More specifically, how do I differentiate a standard KB Electronics product part number, that is available through distribution and a KB Electronics Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specific part number that you need to purchase from that particular OEM? |
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Q: What Does the Letter Mean After the Part Number? I Ordered Part Number 9429A and got 9429L. A: The revision level does not change the form, fit or function of the control. The letter at the end of the 4 or 5-digit KB part number is a revision level used in the factory, (i.e., KB model KBIC-120 is KB part number 9429L). The revision level is subject to change whenever any upgrades or component changes are made to our controls. |
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Q: Where Can I Purchase KB Electronics Products? A: KB designs and manufactures more than 200 control models to serve the fractional to 5HP market. For standard controls, all sales must be processed through an authorized distributor. You can find a local distributor by using the distributor locator on our website. |
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Q: What are SCR controls? A: 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 aluminum 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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Q: What are four quadrant (4Q) regenerative DC drives? A: 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. |
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Q: What are dynamic braking DC drives? A: 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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Q: What is Motor Overload Protection? A: KB’s AC drives contain Motor Overload Protection (I²t) with RMS Current Limit (CL). The I²t function provides overload protection and prevents motor burnout. KB’s AC drives are UL approved as an electronic overload protector for motors. With I²t, if the motor is overloaded to 120% of the motor nameplate rating, the I²t timer will start, triggering the drive to trip in 30 minutes. As the motor continues to experience an increase in load, the time it takes the drive to trip decreases. Finally, if the motor is overloaded to 160%, the drive will trip in six seconds. The CL factory settings are for a maximum overload of 160%, limiting the motor current and torque. Some drive manufacturers do not have the current limit feature. During an extreme overload the I²t time is very short, which will cause an undesirable nuisance trip. Most of them are factory set for 150%. |
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Q: How do four quadrant (4Q) regenerative drives compare to dynamic braking DC drives? A: 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). |
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Q: NEMA 1 Enclosure Versus a NEMA 4X Enclosure? A: 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 aluminum 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. |
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Q: What are PWM controls? A: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controls are DC drives, like our KBPW-240D, KBWD Series, KBWS Series, and KBWT Series, that use transistors to vary the duty cycle of the high frequency voltage to the motor and regulate the DC voltage to control the motor speed. The efficient PWM waveform, operating at a switching frequency greater than 16 kHz, delivers almost pure DC to the motor (form factor <1.05). This provides high motor efficiency, whisper quiet operation along with less motor heating and allows for a smaller, less costly motor to be used in most applications. Another advantage of PWM is higher output voltage (up to 130 VDC for 115 VAC lines and 220 VDC for 230 VAC lines), which provides increased motor speed. These drives are designed to operate SCR-rated and PWM-rated Permanent Magnet and Shunt Wound motors up to 2.2 HP and available in Chassis / IP20 and NEMA 4X / IP65 enclosures. Typical applications include Conveyors, Machine Tools, Medical Equipment, Packaging Equipment, Web Processing, and Winding Machinery. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box. |
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Q: What is Under Voltage Protection? A: 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. |
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Q: Can KB's AC Drives Operate with GFCI? A: GFCI’s 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. |
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Q: What are VFDs? A: Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are AC drives, like our KBAC Series, KBVF Series, that operate with a fixed input voltage and vary the high frequency output voltage to control 1-phase and 3-phase AC motors. Our fourth generation VFDs, like our KBVF 4G (Chassis) and KBVF 4G (Enclosed), are designed and customized to operate Permanent Magnet AC (PMAC) motors and Brushless Permanent Magnet (BPM). These drives are available in Chassis / IP20, NEMA 1, and NEMA 4X / IP65 enclosures for motors up to 5 HP. Typical applications include anything that moves or spins, such as Actuators, Air Cleaners, Amusement Rides, Ball Pitching Machines, Blowers, Boat Lifts, Bowling Alley Lane Cleaners, CNC, Conveyors, Door and Gate Openers, Drilling, Duct Cleaners, Dumbwaiters, Elevators and Hoists, Exercise Equipment, Fabric Processing, Fans, Feeders, Film Processing, Floor Cleaning, Food Processing, Garment Cutting, Grinding and Polishing, Hoppers, Horse Walkers, HVAC, Indexers, Irrigation, Laminating, Lift Station Pumps, Machine Tools, Medical, Milling, Mixers, Oven Conveyors, Packaging, Paint Blenders, Paint Shakers, Paint Sprayers, Paper Handling, Portable Equipment Used with GFCIs, Pottery Wheels, Printing, Pumps, Range Hoods, Sandblasting, Saws, Sewing, Stretch Wrap, Textile, Treadmills, Therapeutic Vibrators, Washing Machines, Wave Soldering, Web Processing, Wheelchair Lifts, Whole House Vacuums and Attic Fans, Wire Feeders, Wood and Metal Lathes and Cutters, Winders and Unwinders. For OEM applications, custom drives are available ready to use out-of-the-box. Customizations include pre-calibrating, programming, adding a custom label or branding, custom software, PLC functions or designing a new control. |
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Q: What is a Hybrid Drive™? A: KB is the first manufacturer of variable frequency drives to apply the term “Hybrid Drive” to a segment of their AC drive line. A hybrid, by definition, is the merging of two technologies. The drive merges the digital technology of the microprocessor with an easy to use analog interface. Simple trimpot adjustments and selectable jumpers are used in lieu of complicated programming. Hybrid Drives, unlike Digital Drives, require less set up time and are easy to install and operate. Learn more about our Hybrid Drive products. |
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Q: Where do I find a wiring diagram for my motor? A: Online wiring diagrams are only available for current catalog products in our eCatalog. For additional ratings, you will need to send us a request for the diagram. Be sure to include the id number off of the motor nameplate. |
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Q: What is the Difference Between KB's Plug-In-Horsepower Resistor® vs. the Competitor's Fixed Resistor? A: The PHR allows you to cover the broadest possible horsepower range of motors with one DC Drive. For example, the KBMM-125 DC Drive will control motors from 1/100 HP to 1-1/2 HP; the KBMM-225 DC Drive will control motors from 1/50 HP to 3 HP. By selecting the correct PHR, for your motor, you will not have to waste time calibrating the IR and CL compensation circuits. Our competitors' controls that have fixed horsepower resistors, only have a range from 1/8 HP to 1 HP. |
