AC/DC

In the field of industrial brakes, when we mention AC/DC, we are not referring to the famous rock band, but specifically to the power supply types that drive electromagnetic brakes: Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

Electromagnetic brakes rely on energizing a coil to generate a magnetic field that releases or engages the armature, achieving braking or release functions. This “electricity” can be either AC or DC.

DC Brakes: These are the absolute mainstream on the market today. They use direct current to drive the coil, offering advantages such as completely silent operation, minimal engagement shock, fast response times, and precise control. Since AC power is commonly used in industrial settings, DC brakes typically require a rectifier to convert the input AC power into DC for use.

AC Brakes: These brakes can be directly connected to an AC power source, eliminating the need for a rectifier. They remain applicable in some simple, cost-sensitive scenarios. However, their drawbacks are significant: they produce the characteristic AC “humming” noise during operation, exhibit greater engagement impact, and offer inferior smoothness and response speed compared to DC brakes.

From a professional perspective, despite the existence of AC brakes, DC brakes have become the standard configuration for high-performance and demanding applications (such as elevators, servo motors, and precision machine tools) due to their superior quietness, speed, and smoothness. Therefore, when discussing brakes, the choice between AC/DC directly determines their performance characteristics, noise levels, and control precision.