Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller

The Allen-Bradley SMC-50 smart motor controller includes a newly designed three-phase, fully solid-state, silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) power structure. It is designed to address the motor control needs of OEMs and end users seeking a more economical alternative to drives and more advanced control than across-the-line starters.

Rated at 200-690 VAC, and  from 90 to 520 A, the SMC-50 controller is suitable for controlling motor speed and torque in a range of normal-duty applications, including pumps, compressors and short conveyors, as well as in heavy-duty applications, such as rock crushers, wood chippers, centrifugal fans and long conveyors.

The SMC-50 smart motor controller’s design improves voltage output to maximise efficiency of motor starts and stops. For application scalability, it features nine standard starting modes, six stopping modes and several slow-speed functions. The linear-acceleration starting mode offers the lowest starting current profile per start, consistent acceleration time and enhanced control over both torque and speed. Regardless of the starting mode chosen, the SMC-50 controller stores the actual motor start time and peak current value to assist in set-up and process optimisation.

The SMC-50 smart motor controller also uses the Allen-Bradley smart motor braking feature, engineered with automatic zero-speed shut-off to quickly stop a motor without the need for additional hardware or feedback devices.