Brake Motors
Brake motors are a type of electric motor. However, these motors stop far more quickly than other electric motors, and thus they are essential in applications in which a precision hold of a load is required. A critical characteristic of a brake motor is the capability to come to an abrupt and reliable stop of any motion of the rotor part of the motor. This is accomplished predominantly in two ways: one, using the motor itself and what’s inside it; and two, by having something pull a brake if anything in the power sector of the motor isn’t by and large the way it should be.
Motors designed to provide a braking function enable the motor to stop more quickly once the power is removed, and the brake is also intended to maintain the motor's position when it is stopped. This means that "on" is activated when the power is off to make the motor safe and enable the equipment to which it's coupled to hold massive inertial loads during equipment operation without producing mechanical drift.
Motors configured to operate as brakes come in a variety of types: AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current). These motors are suited to work a variety of power schemes and can be found in a broad array of demanding applications. They also are available in different sizes and power capabilities, ranging from something small enough to fit inside a handheld device to something large and powerful enough to stop the motion of a piece of heavy industrial machinery. They have high reliability in a compact design with easy access for maintenance.
Products
FAQs
What is the frame size of a single phase brake motor?
The frame size of a single-phase brake motor typically ranges from 56 to 215T, depending on the specific application and power requirements.
Motor Starters, Soft Starters and VFDs
Motor Starters
Motor starters safely start and stop a motor in industrial applications. They are designed with a contactor, overload and circuit protection. They are used when basic motor control is required, where torque on the motor is not a concern and speed control is not needed. The advantages of motor starters include: lower cost, allows for remote operation, allows for monitoring of motor state (with the use of auxiliary contacts) and they are safe and efficient. The disadvantages include: high inrush current that can cause fuses to blow and breakers to trip if the inrush is too high, and the starter will allow a full torque to start the motor which can cause the motor to ramp up to full speed very quickly potentially causing the motor to wear and degrade prematurely.
Soft Starters
Soft starters protect motors from inrush current by gently ramping up the motor to full speed. They provide all of the same functions as a traditional motor starter. The advantages of soft starters include: they are less expensive than a VFD when only startup control is needed, they are a smaller system than a VFD where space is a concern and they prevent unwanted torque upon startup, prolonging the life of the motor. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive than a traditional motor starter and they do not allow for full speed control.
VFDs
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) allows for the slow ramp up of a motor during startup and the slowing down of the motor during shutdown. It also allows for full speed control during the entire run cycle of the motor. VFDs provide the same functions as both the traditional motor starters and soft starters. The advantages of VFDs include: full speed control (start, stop and in-between), more custom control and monitoring, energy savings due to efficient motor usage and less wear and tear on the motors. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive and larger than other motor control options and they generate heat that may require fans or AC units.