EL7342 Current Capacity
- rbobey1989
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12 Sep 2025 13:13 #334880
by rbobey1989
EL7342 Current Capacity was created by rbobey1989
Hello everyone here, I'm performing tests with DC motors and would like to use the Beckhoff EL7342 module. I've seen in the module's data sheet that it can supply up to 3.5A. Although it's not very specific, I imagine this current refers to average current, meaning it can withstand transient current spikes. For example, motors always consume a little more current at startup. Furthermore, the load I want to move is static and doesn't change over time; it's always the same.
After all this preamble, I'll share the specifics of my problem. I need to drive a 48V, 4A, 180W DC motor. I'd like to use the EL7342 module, which delivers up to 3.5A on its own. According to the datasheet, a ZB8610 can be added to increase the output current to 6.5A. I've run some tests on the motor with a true RMS multimeter, which has indicated between 7 and 4 amp.
Well, guys, as always, I appreciate any ideas or experiences you may have. Best regards.
After all this preamble, I'll share the specifics of my problem. I need to drive a 48V, 4A, 180W DC motor. I'd like to use the EL7342 module, which delivers up to 3.5A on its own. According to the datasheet, a ZB8610 can be added to increase the output current to 6.5A. I've run some tests on the motor with a true RMS multimeter, which has indicated between 7 and 4 amp.
Well, guys, as always, I appreciate any ideas or experiences you may have. Best regards.
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- tommylight
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12 Sep 2025 13:44 #334883
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic EL7342 Current Capacity
Normally you can safely use a higher rated motor on a lower rated drive, it just wont have the full torque/speed.
Except some really cheap China drives, all drives have current limiting, so they will output whatever that maximum is, and usually that can be set with DIP switches or software.
The problem arises when drive can provide more current than the motor attached can withstand, so limiting current is a must.
And just in case:
Voltage = speed = RPM
Current = torque
-you can drive a higher current rated motor with a lower current rated drive, it will limit torque
-you can NOT drive a lower current rated motor with a higher current rated drive without LIMITING current
-you can drive a higher voltage rated motor with a lower voltage rated drive, it will limit speed and sometimes torque
-you can NOT drive a lower voltage rated motor with a higher voltage rated drive without LIMITING output voltage and current, and even then some motors will overheat due to the PWM nature of the drive and spikes in output current/voltage.
Except some really cheap China drives, all drives have current limiting, so they will output whatever that maximum is, and usually that can be set with DIP switches or software.
The problem arises when drive can provide more current than the motor attached can withstand, so limiting current is a must.
And just in case:
Voltage = speed = RPM
Current = torque
-you can drive a higher current rated motor with a lower current rated drive, it will limit torque
-you can NOT drive a lower current rated motor with a higher current rated drive without LIMITING current
-you can drive a higher voltage rated motor with a lower voltage rated drive, it will limit speed and sometimes torque
-you can NOT drive a lower voltage rated motor with a higher voltage rated drive without LIMITING output voltage and current, and even then some motors will overheat due to the PWM nature of the drive and spikes in output current/voltage.
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