5 Tips for Choosing a Geared Motor
Choosing the right motor for your application can be difficult. Each application has its unique requirements that need to be met to ensure the perfect drive solution across a range of applications and when it comes to selecting geared electric motors, there are certain things you can specify to tailor them exactly to your specification. Our tips below will hopefully help you narrow down the search for your perfect geared motor. Otherwise, speak to our team at DNH to help you further.
Read more When to Use Gearboxes with DC Motors
1. How much torque is required?
If your application requires a gear motor to do a lot of work – for example, materials handling equipment, stair lifts or patient hoists – you’ll likely need a motor capable of delivering a lot of torque. A great example is the caravan mover geared motor, where smooth delivery and high torque are prerequisites to ensure even the largest caravans can be moved and parked safely and accurately.
2. How much power will I need?
When purchasing an electric motor for your application, it’s important to consider the amount of power required for it to function as intended. You might want to think about how hard you’ll need to drive a motor and whether the application will require the motor to be operating at maximum output for sustained periods of time.
3. Is AC or DC the right option?
Another important consideration is whether to go for an AC or DC motor. Generally, AC motors offer smooth, quiet operation and are capable of operating at high speeds. Alternatively, DC motors are a great choice if you need to achieve a constant, high torque. If your application demands a particularly quiet operation, such as an electric wheelchair, an AC motor might be the solution for you.
Read more AC vs DC motors
4. What battery voltage do I need?
The battery voltage required can depend on what you’re asking your product to do and a higher voltage can help increase a motor’s torque and power. Therefore, it’s worth considering a higher battery voltage to improve the consistency of power at an increased level.
5. What are the usage demands?
Consider how often your geared electric motor will be operational. Your product might run continuously day in, day out, which would be typical of the sort of operating pattern found in industrial automation applications. Alternatively, your product might only need to operate in short bursts with long periods of downtime. A more demanding application might be more closely suited to an AC motor because it can cope with intense operational requirements and are highly durable.