Kinetix 3 vs. Kinetix 5300: Which Servo Drive is Right for You?

When selecting a servo drive for your application, it’s crucial to consider factors such as power range, integration capabilities, and flexibility. Allen-Bradley offers a variety of servo drives, with the Kinetix 3 and Kinetix 5300 standing out as two key options. While both are designed to deliver precision and efficiency, they cater to different needs. Below is a detailed comparison to help you determine the right choice for your application.

Kinetix 3 vs. Kinetix 5300

Power Range

The power range of a servo drive determines its suitability for different applications. The Kinetix 3 operates within a power range of 50 to 1500W, making it ideal for small-scale automation tasks. On the other hand, the Kinetix 5300 offers a much broader power range, spanning from 0.05 to 7.5 kW, making it capable of handling both small and large automation applications. If your project requires higher power and scalability, the Kinetix 5300 is the better option, whereas the Kinetix 3 is a cost-effective choice for low-power applications.

Voltage Compatibility

Voltage compatibility is another important factor when selecting a servo drive. The Kinetix 3 is designed to operate at 220–240V, which limits its use to specific voltage configurations. In contrast, the Kinetix 5300 supports a broader voltage range, from 120V to 460V, offering greater flexibility for different industrial environments. This broader voltage range makes the Kinetix 5300 suitable for a wider array of power sources and applications, ensuring adaptability in different automation setups.

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority in industrial automation, and both servo drives include safety mechanisms. The Kinetix 3 provides motor overload protection, ensuring that motors operate safely under varying load conditions. Meanwhile, the Kinetix 5300 includes Safe Torque Off (STO), which allows for the immediate disabling of torque without requiring extra components or wiring. STO is a highly valuable safety feature that improves machine safety and compliance with modern industry standards, making the Kinetix 5300 the superior option for applications that require enhanced safety measures.

Digital Inputs

The number of digital inputs in a servo drive affects its control capabilities and expandability. The Kinetix 3 offers an impressive 64 I/O points, providing a greater range of input/output configurations for indexing and motion control applications. On the other hand, the Kinetix 5300 includes four digital inputs, with two dedicated to fast digital input functions. While it has fewer I/O points, the Kinetix 5300 compensates with optimized control features that enhance its performance in high-speed applications.

Tuning-less Setup

Servo tuning is often a time-consuming process, but tuning-less technology simplifies this task. The Kinetix 3 does not include tuning-less setup capabilities, meaning manual adjustments may be required. In contrast, the Kinetix 5300 features Load Observer and Tracking Notch filter technologies, enabling automatic tuning and real-time load adaptation. This feature significantly reduces setup time and improves performance, making the Kinetix 5300 an efficient choice for quick deployment.

Network Support

Modern automation systems rely on robust network connectivity for seamless communication. The Kinetix 3 has limited network support, which may restrict its use in complex, interconnected automation environments. The Kinetix 5300, however, features Device Level Ring (DLR) support, allowing for fault-tolerant networking and reducing the need for additional network accessories like e-Taps. This makes the Kinetix 5300 an ideal choice for highly networked and data-driven automation systems.

Motor Compatibility

Selecting the right servo drive often depends on motor compatibility. The Kinetix 3 supports a range of servo motors, but its options are more limited compared to the Kinetix 5300. The Kinetix 5300 is optimized for Kinetix TLP Motors, providing a seamless, plug-and-play experience with minimal sizing efforts. This makes the Kinetix 5300 a more efficient choice for applications requiring a streamlined motion solution.

Example Modules for Kinetix 3

2071-A10

The 2071-A10 is an Allen-Bradley Kinetix 3 Series Servo Drive designed for 3-phase power, delivering 7.0 Amps output current and 1.0 kW wattage. It supports RS-232 and RS-485 communication and features Motor Overload Protection with UL-compliant solid-state motors. Using predictive algorithms and an embedded temperature sensor prevents overheating. The drive includes Digital, Analog, and Modbus HMI options, along with 64 indexing points for enhanced control. It operates within 0–50°C, with 5–95% non-condensing humidity. The FNQ-R-20 or LPJ-20 fuse is recommended for AC input. With a shunt power of 70W, it ensures precise motor stopping, making it ideal for applications like the TLY-A310M motor.

2071-AP2

The Allen-Bradley 2071-AP2 is a 200W Kinetix 3-Component Servo Drive that operates on 240V AC RMS single-phase input with a 1.7A output current. It pairs best with TL-Series and TLY-Series rotary motors, such as the TL-A220P. The user interface includes a 7-segment status indicator, power indicator, arrow keys, enter key, and mode/set key. It features two serial communication ports (Comm 0A and 0B) with RS-485 support. The drive includes motor feedback, analog output, and I/O connectors. It has solid-state motor overload protection with an external temperature sensor input. Measuring 53mm x 155mm x 153.04mm, it uses 14 AWG wiring and requires an FNQ-R-7 fuse for power input.

Example Modules for Kinetix 5300

2198-C1004-ERS

The 2198-C1004-ERS is a Kinetix 5300 series servo drive by Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation, compatible with rotary servo motors, linear actuators, linear motors, and induction motors. It features a spring-set holding brake and supports multiple encoder feedback types, including Tamagawa high-resolution serial, digital AqB with UVW, and generic sin/cos with UVW. Operating on 24V DC control power, it includes two Ethernet ports for seamless communication. The drive has various connectors, such as motor power, brake, shunt resistor, AC mains input, and Safe Torque Off. It supports single-phase (85- 132V RMS) and three-phase (170- 253V RMS) AC input. A 4-character status display provides system information, making it suitable for standalone and networked automation applications.

2198-C4015-ERS

The 2198-C4015-ERS is a Kinetix 5300 series single-axis servo drive by Allen-Bradley, designed for Ethernet communication in star, ring, and linear topologies. It integrates with ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers and requires a Size 2 frame. This servo drive delivers 2.78 kW continuous output power, supports a 3-phase voltage range of 342- 528V RMS, and has a continuous output current of 5.2A RMS with a peak of 18A RMS. It requires an AC line filter (2198-DB08-F) for CE compliance. Built with solid-state short-circuit protection, it can handle high-power circuits with UL-rated fuses (200,000A), miniature circuit breakers (10,000A), and moulded-case circuit breakers (65,000A) for safe operation.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, choosing between the Kinetix 3 and Kinetix 5300 depends on power, integration, and application needs. The Kinetix 3 is a cost-effective solution for small-scale automation, offering 50W to 1500W power, and 64 digital I/O points for indexing. In contrast, the Kinetix 5300 supports a power range of 0.05 to 7.5 kW, features EtherNet/IP connectivity, and includes a tuningless setup for fast deployment. It also provides Safe Torque Off (STO) for enhanced safety. The Kinetix 3 is ideal for basic motion applications, while the Kinetix 5300 excels in high-speed, scalable, and networked automation. Your choice should align with your system’s flexibility, scalability, and safety requirements.

No matter which Kinetix is right for your setup, we at DO Supply have you covered. We carry hundreds of different drives, including the Kinetix 3 and 5300, and offer repair services for malfunctioning drives. Still unsure about which drive will fit nicely? Give our team of experts a call today and we can help you find the right piece of equipment for your needs. If you would like some maintenance tips for your new Kinetix 3 we have an article for you right here.