Motor controllers are devices (or groups of devices) that are used to control the start, stop and speed of an electric motor. They can either be manually operated or programmed to work automatically, with possible functions including selecting the rotational direction and speed, regulating or limiting torque, and stopping or starting the motor. A motor controller helps to protect the motor itself from overloading and/or electrical faults. At RS, we have a curated range of motor controllers from industry-leading brands such as Electromen OY, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Sprint Electric, and many more.

What types of motor controllers are there?

There are 4 types of motor controllers

AC Motor Controllers

AC motor controllers and drives are used primarily in process applications to control the speed of pumps, fans and blowers. AC Motor Controllers are electronic devices that modify the input power to motors by typically adjusting the frequency of the power to the motor for the purpose of regulating the output speed and torque.

DC Motor Controllers

DC motor controllers and drives are used primarily to control motor speeds and torques for machine tools, electric vehicles, pumps, etc

Servo Motor Controllers

One of the widest categories of motor controllers is servo motor controllers, which use position feedback to close the control loop, which provides precise control over a closed loop.

Stepper Motor Controllers

Stepper motor controllers are very popular, they are used for accurate positioning, rotation angles and speed control in stepper motors through. Stepper motor controllers and drives are used primarily in motion control applications in manufacturing and construction environments, among other industries, and are used to control motor speeds, torques, and position.

What are motor controllers used for?

Motor controllers are used to achieve more accurate control over motor speed, stops and starts than can be achieved with a manual control or mechanical switch. Motor controllers are also capable of controlling motors that exceed the current limitations of a mechanical switch.