AC actuators are mechanical switches activated by alternating current. They can be used in various applications, from automotive controls to industrial components. They transform electrical energy into mechanical motion and can vary in size and power. DC actuators are also common, and they range from small portable CD changers to heavy-duty actuators that produce up to 2,000 pounds of force. AC actuators require less maintenance than hydraulic or pneumatic systems and can be easily integrated into control systems with safety features and precise levels of applied force.
An AC actuator is a type of mechanical switch or control arm activated by alternating current (AC). Actuators are common components of many mechanical systems. Uses for an AC actuator may include incorporation into automotive controls, gate and door locking mechanisms in residential or commercial settings, and connection to electric motors for rotary and linear actuators on assembly lines in manufacturing. As it is a kind of universal mechanical machine control, an AC actuator can vary in size and power depending on the application. They can range from very small micro-controls such as those built into electronic doorbells for ringing the bell, or small valve assemblies for the flow of liquids and gases, to industrial components in power plants and oil refineries.
The purpose of an AC actuator is generally to transform electrical energy into mechanical motion. Motion can be transmitted via cable, actuator arm, screw mount and more. This range of uses covers such a variety of machine applications that the devices can be found in virtually every industry that relies on complex machinery, from transportation to agriculture, marine and construction.
While most types of actuators run on AC power due to the level of force the actuator and motor system have to transmit, such as in medical beds or motorized furniture, direct current (DC) actuators are also quite common . A DC actuator can be installed where there is no convenient location for the AC current and where the machine controls do not require much power to operate, such as in portable CD changer (CD) systems. They range from power requirements typically 12 to 36 volts DC in industrial settings and can be configured to control various types of mechanical motion, from screw drives to linear arm motion. Conversely, heavy-duty DC actuators are also common and can produce a force of up to 2,000 pounds or more (907 kilograms) on 24 volts of DC current.
In many manufacturing environments prior to 2011, the type of actuator used was often powered by hydraulic force or pneumatic compression of air. While many of these actuators still exist in harsh environments, they are often replaced by AC actuator controls. That’s because AC actuator systems tend to require less maintenance than hydraulic or pneumatic systems and are simpler to assemble and more portable, so they can be easily repositioned to accommodate changes in a manufacturing process. Using an AC actuator also allows the device to be integrated into a control system with safety features and precise levels of applied force that can be monitored and adjusted by electronic digital readouts, which are often not easily configured with hydraulic and pneumatic controls .
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