What is the most important thing to consider when selecting a drive for a motor?

Current and Voltage! You cannot always rely on the HP or KW value, some motors have special characteristics that greatly change the amount of current that it draws. You should ALWAYS make sure the output voltage range of the drive meets the input voltage rating of the motor, and that the FLA of the motor is less than or equal to the drive’s output current rating.

Additional criteria to consider include reliability and technology. For reliability, you want to evaluate the mean time to failure (MTTF) and warranty period. This gives you a sense of how long the drive should last in the field and what coverage the company provides if there is an issue. For technology, the interface, remote capabilities, and software are important to ensure that the drive is compatible with your application and you are able to achieve the desired outcome.

 

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