Electric drives have many advantages. First of all, they are quiet and maintenance-free for many years. But how to choose the right electric actuator for a given application? Check out the short guide, and then see the offer in our wholesaler.
Check out the electric actuators at the Onninen wholesaler
How does an electric actuator work?
The construction and operation of an electric actuator is very simple. Such a device must be connected to a power supply and a controller. After receiving voltage, the electric motor starts, which, through a gear transmission, drives the screw. On it, in turn, there is a fixed nut, changing its position in accordance with the rotation of the drive screw. In this way, the piston attached to the nut can extend or retract in the body of the electric drive.
The screw mechanism has many advantages: high level of precision, transfer of high stresses or quiet and failure-free operation. Similarly, the electric motor is characterized by low noise level and high efficiency. That is why electric actuators are very popular.
Types of electric actuators
The advantages of electric drives and their popularity have meant that you can come across very different models of these devices. In addition to linear actuators, you can also find rotary solutions - used primarily for opening gates. Depending on the type of load, the drive screw itself will have a different structure. You can come across trapezoidal, spherical or roller threads. The former comes in a symmetrical form (double-sided actuators) as well as asymmetrical (pushing or pulling actuators - the piston load occurs in only one direction). Individual models may also differ in mounting or piston rod length (single-section or telescopic).
Not every electric actuator needs to have a built-in piston. In many situations, a trolley moving on a drive screw works well. Simplified construction and better access to the most important elements of the mechanism facilitate maintenance and repair of such drives.
What to look for when purchasing an electric actuator?
When choosing the right electric actuator, you must always remember the function it is supposed to perform. Therefore, you should pay attention to aspects such as:
- The maximum force available to a given drive.
- Dimensions of the electric actuator - will it fit in the space intended for it?
- Mode of operation (two-sided, pushing or pulling).
- Durability and resistance to external conditions - especially in the case of models intended for operating swing gates.
In addition to large electric actuators, our offer also includes small devices for controlling central heating or other hydraulic systems. In such cases, the operating characteristics are also important. The EMO TM proportional actuator controlled by a voltage of 0 to 10 V and a convenient 2 m cable can be used in various systems in both dry and wet rooms. In turn, the Danfoss AMV20 electric drive , also powered by direct current, is controlled by a three-point signal.
The most important parameters of electric drives and actuators
Regardless of the purpose of the drive, it will be characterized by several important parameters. An example is the AME 85 WM analogue signal-controlled electric actuator , in the description of which you can find:
- Cycle time, indicating how long it takes to retract and extend the piston.
- Stroke length, indicating maximum extension.
- Maximum power consumption given in watts or VA, based on which you can easily calculate the average electricity consumption and therefore the cost of use.
- Supply voltage. For smaller devices it will be DC,
models powered by alternating current (AC) have greater power. It is also necessary to ensure the appropriate voltage on the power supply. - The pressure force is given in newtons. To convert this to weight, divide the given value by 10. So a pressure force of 2000 N corresponds to a weight of 200 kg.
- IP protection class. This indicates whether the housing protects the device against dust and water.
Each electric actuator has its own operating characteristics that must meet your needs. Therefore, it is worth asking a store employee - for example, by phone or email - which model will work best in specific conditions.