The Simatic Micro-Drive range is designed to control EC (electronically commutated) motors with outputs from 11–1,000W operating at voltages from 24–48V. The four-quadrant drives, with built-in safety functions, can be used either with an integrated brake chopper on a power supply, or on batteries.

“With the GaN Systems devices, we are now able to increase the efficiency of the drives,” says Christian Neugebauer, Siemens’ product manager for the Micro-Drives. “With GaN, Siemens can switch to a higher frequency, thereby enabling a faster motor response time compared with high-voltage drive systems.”

The GaN devices are being supplied by the Canadian semiconductor specialist, GaN Systems, which claims to be the global leader in this technology.

“We are thrilled to see that the efforts that Siemens and GaN Systems have invested are now being realised,” says GaN Systems’ CEO, Jim Witham. “No longer is the GaN conversation about ‘if or when’. Clearly, it is ‘now.’”