How DC Overpowers AC For MDR Accumulating Conveyor Systems
In case you're new to this, here's a quick overview of AC and DC Power. If you're already familiar, go ahead and skip to the next section.
DC stands for direct current, while AC stands for alternating current. Direct Current means that the electricity is always flowing in the same direction. It's produced by things like batteries, fuel cells or solar cells where the positive and negative terminals are always positive and negative.
Alternating Current is where the direction of the current alternates (aptly named) and can therefore easily change the voltage of the current. This kind of current is what you find in a domestic power grid, because power companies need to alternate the current to reduce the power output to safe levels.
Here's how this matters for your Conveyor System.
MDR Conveyor is most useful for buffering prior to any sort of robotics, switches, sorters, palletizers, depalletizers and other “decision-making” points in your system. Whether you’re designing a new system or upgrading your existing operation, you have an important decision to make – AC or DC power. Being experts at 24vDC MDR Accumulating Conveyor, we think it’s safe to say DC is a better fit. Here are five reasons DC overpowers AC when it comes to MDR Conveyor.
DC Conveyor is efficient. AC power in general is less efficient than DC power, most people know that. But with MDR Accumulating Conveyor, the difference in efficiency is further emphasized because the conveyor isn’t constantly running. In order to maximize your energy efficiency, pairing DC with MDR Accumulating Conveyor is the best way to go.
DC Conveyor is easier to install. With AC power, you need a belt and spliced pneumatic lines to run. With DC, you set the conveyor in place and the connect driver cards and power supplies. Most of the time you can run the power directly through the side frames because DC conveyor operates at a lower voltage.
DC Conveyor is safer. Going back to the efficiency aspect and how DC Conveyor zones only run when needed, the power needed to activate one zone at a time is much lower than powering an entire line at once. With this lower power cost comes a greatly reduced risk of injury given the lower belt torque and less dangerous arc when shorted.
DC Conveyor is quieter. Whether you’re running band driven or belted zones, DC conveyors operate at a much lower decibel level than their AC counterparts. This overall reduces plant noise and can completely eliminate the need for hearing protection.
DC Conveyor is flexible. With an AC Conveyor and the electrical infrastructure that is required to operate it, making adjustments to the system are tough. With DC Conveyor and how easy it is to install and maintain, they’re independent. This makes it extremely easy to add applications, belts, rollers, sortation, robotics and more as your system grows.
If you'd like to learn more about our 24vDC MDR Conveyor, visit www.cartercontrols.com/conveyor/mdr-conveyor.
