Feature

Why DC? It’s not dead yet

Thirty years ago, as AC inverters improved their reliability, several well-known companies and big names in the automation business announced that DC was dead.

03/06/2019 11:10:15

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In some cases, selling prices were altered to make the DC drive product less competitive to try and promote the AC technology. With this being the case why is it that all these years
later DC drives are still in demand and being used in production critical applications?

A lot of bad press has been given to DC drives and DC motors. Energy efficiency, maintenance and reliability have
all been used to try and convert the customer over from DC to AC, yet it still survives.

So why? Well, automation applications require accurate variable control of both speed and current to match the
application requirements and many of these applications require full torque capability at very low speeds and at zero speed. They need to be receptive to shock loads and to be able to compensate for
these and recover with minimal effect on the motor performance and they need to be able keep accurate speed regardless of whether the motor is being driven or overhauled.

Read the full article in the June issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.