Motor drives refer to those circuits that help in running a motor. It can be said in other words that they help in motor interfacing. The motor can be easily interfaced with the drives. Their selection totally depends upon the kind of motor being utilized as well as their ratings (like the voltage, current, etc.). 

Let’s take a reference of a DC motor and understand its major components.

The major components of motor drive present in DC motors are a Motor Driver IC, a controller, Power Supply Unit, DC motor and required connections to the motor.

• Controller – The controller can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor.
• Motor Driver IC – Motor Driver IC (or Motor Driver Circuits) are current amplifiers which convert low current signal taking from the controller to high current signals.
• Motor – Motor is referred to as a mechanic or electric device that can cause motion. Some motors like a stepper motor, brushless DC motor, and normal DC motor might need a driver circuit or a driver IC while interfacing with the controller. DC motor is referred to as that kind of motor that helps in converting DC into Mechanical power. The brushless DC motor consists of an inverter that produces an AC signal to drive the motor and a DC power source. Stepper motor is referred to as a brushless DC electric motor that helps in converting electrical pulses into discrete mechanical motions.
• Power Supply Unit – Offers the needed power to the motor drive.

DC Motor Driver Circuits

Motor Driver circuits are basically current amplifiers. These motor drivers behave like a bridge between the motor and the controller. Motor drivers are produced using discrete parts which are coordinated inside an IC. The motor driver circuit or a motor driver IC takes in a low current signal as an input. The main functionality of the IC is to convert this Low Current signal to a High Current signal which is then provided to the motor. The motor can be a brushed DC motor, brushless DC motor, stepper motor or other DC motors, etc.

Characteristics:

• Better performance
• Supports with the high current drive
• Gives a high level of functionality
• Offers High voltage
• It comes with an assurance scheme to avert the disappointment of motors because of any issues.

What is the need for Motor Driver Circuits (ICs)

While interfacing the motor with the controller, one of the basic needs for the controller's operation is a small amount of current with a low voltage. But the motor needs a high current and voltage for its own operation. Thus we can say that the output generated from the processor or controller is not much to drive a motor. In this case, direct interfacing of controllers to the motor is beyond the realm of imagination and we use a Motor Driver IC.

This was all we have regarding Motor Drives. Hope you liked it. Brands that manufacture them are Schneider, Omron, and Applied Motion. Make sure to follow them using the links as provided.

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