How To Choose Electric Motor Controls

Electric motor controllers are used to vary and specify factors such as speed

, direction, voltage and braking. Speed controllers are perhaps the most widely used and are available either as stand alone units which plug into the receiver throttle channel, or can be integrated into the machine to provide a convenient and compact solution.

Controllers are often installed in radio controlled model vehicles in this way. Controllers are responsible for interpreting data provided by the electric motor in terms of field effect transistors, which are transistors that control the shape and conductivity of a specific charge carrier in a semi-conductive material.

When choosing a controller for your RC model or for any other application, you should look for a model that is in the right speed range for your needs. It is no use purchasing a controller that operates over an expansive speed range, or is designed for manipulating fast speeds, if your electric motor is only capable of turning at low speeds. If, on the other hand, you require a controller suited to a high powered application, you will need to look for a highly sensitive machine designed for high current purposes.

One option for controlling the speed on simple machines is the use of a variable frequency drive, or VFD. Variable frequency drives control electric motor speed and torque by varying the frequency and voltage input to the machine. VFDs can be used for a huge range of domestic appliances and industrial machines, from small home appliances to mining mill drives.

The use of Variable frequency drives, or variable speed drives, not only allows for more precise operation but also improves the energy efficiency of the machine, as it only consumes as much energy as is necessary for the specific application.

When choosing a controller or a VFD you should be careful to purchase or construct a machine that will safely and reliably work with your machinery. Some controllers may seem to work fine at first but will cause your electric motor to burn out over time, causing either an inconvenient breakdown or a dangerous explosion.

If you intend on choosing a controller that will over-speed your machine, subsequently causing a decrease in torque, make sure that it comes in under 200% of the nominal speed. For extra convenience you could consider a controller with additional features, such as drive reversal, speed limiting, acceleration control and over-discharge protection.

by: Harrie Dadhwal

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