{"id":4692,"date":"2026-10-16T09:01:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T09:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/?p=4692"},"modified":"2026-10-16T09:56:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T09:56:26","slug":"linear-actuator-duty-cycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/linear-actuator-duty-cycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Ciclo de Trabalho do Atuador Linear: Limites T\u00e9rmicos, Carga e Dimensionamento para Aplica\u00e7\u00f5es Industriais"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Linear Actuator Duty Cycle: Thermal Limits, Load, and Sizing for Industrial Applications<\/h1>\n<p>A <strong>linear actuator duty cycle<\/strong> is easy to calculate and easy to misuse.<\/p>\n<p>The arithmetic is usually just the ratio of powered run time to the total repeating cycle. The engineering decision is harder: <strong>can the actuator repeat that motion, at the required load and speed, in the real ambient and installation conditions, without exceeding its thermal operating limits?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That distinction matters because duty-cycle ratings are conditional. Manufacturer guidance can vary by actuator, load, ambient temperature, and product-specific test conditions. <strong>A percentage taken out of context is not a complete thermal selection criterion.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For a practical actuator review, separate the problem into two steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Calculate the machine&#8217;s nominal duty requirement.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify that requirement against the selected actuator&#8217;s actual rating conditions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This article focuses on that second step: translating a real motion schedule into a thermal requirement that can be checked. If force, stroke, loaded speed, or linkage geometry are not yet defined, start with the <a href=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/linear-actuator-sizing\/\">Linear Actuator Sizing Guide<\/a> first.<\/p>\n<h2>What Does Linear Actuator Duty Cycle Mean?<\/h2>\n<p>For a repeating motion cycle, the basic calculation is:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">Duty cycle (%) =\r\npowered on-time\r\n------------------------------ \u00d7 100\r\npowered on-time + off-time\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>If an actuator runs for 15 seconds and then remains off for 45 seconds:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">Duty cycle = 15 \/ (15 + 45) \u00d7 100 = 25%\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>This is the same basic relationship used in linear-actuator duty-cycle guidance from manufacturers such as Thomson Linear.<\/p>\n<p>The result describes the powered share of the defined cycle. It does not establish thermal suitability by itself, because it does not tell you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>what load was applied during the rating;<\/li>\n<li>what ambient temperature the rating assumes;<\/li>\n<li>whether speed or voltage changes the thermal condition;<\/li>\n<li>how long the actuator may run continuously;<\/li>\n<li>whether a stationary dwell is actually unpowered;<\/li>\n<li>whether the product uses the same reference period as another actuator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Those conditions are why duty cycle should be treated as a <strong>thermal operating-envelope requirement<\/strong>, not just a percentage.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ServoCylMotion motor-driven linear actuator used as context for duty-cycle selection\" src=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01-servocylmotion-zt01-motor-driven-linear-motion-unit-scaled.webp\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Duty-cycle verification starts from a real actuator operating point rather than a percentage in isolation.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Start With the Real Machine Cycle<\/h2>\n<p>A useful duty-cycle specification starts with the machine, not the catalog.<\/p>\n<p>Break one complete repeating cycle into motion and dwell segments. Record both the time and the operating condition of each segment.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Cycle segment<\/th>\n<th>What to record<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Extension<\/td>\n<td>run time, load, loaded speed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Process dwell<\/td>\n<td>whether motor\/drive is powered or unpowered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Retraction<\/td>\n<td>run time, load, loaded speed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Intermediate moves<\/td>\n<td>run time, load, direction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Idle \/ cooling period<\/td>\n<td>available unpowered rest time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Starts and reversals<\/td>\n<td>frequency per cycle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ambient condition<\/td>\n<td>normal and worst credible temperature<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Installation<\/td>\n<td>open air, enclosed, restricted airflow, nearby heat sources<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The purpose is to identify <strong>where the actuator is powered, which motion segments are thermally demanding, and when genuine cooling time is available<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Count all powered motion<\/h3>\n<p>If the motor is powered during both extension and retraction, both periods belong in the nominal on-time calculation.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Segment<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: right;\">Duration<\/th>\n<th>State<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Extend<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">12 s<\/td>\n<td>Powered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Process dwell<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">40 s<\/td>\n<td>Unpowered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Retract<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">10 s<\/td>\n<td>Powered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Idle<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: right;\">58 s<\/td>\n<td>Unpowered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Powered time:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">12 + 10 = 22 s\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Total cycle:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">12 + 40 + 10 + 58 = 120 s\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Nominal duty requirement:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">22 \/ 120 \u00d7 100 = 18.3%\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>So the machine requires about <strong>18% nominal duty<\/strong> for that defined cycle.<\/p>\n<p>That is the start of the thermal review, not the end.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Load Changes the Duty-Cycle Question<\/h2>\n<p>An actuator that runs lightly loaded does not have the same thermal demand as the same actuator operating near a more demanding load point.<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturer guidance reflects this. Thomson notes that some actuator duty-cycle ratings vary with load and that load-dependent charts may be supplied in the product specifications. Actuonix likewise describes load, voltage, and ambient temperature as variables that can affect allowable operating time.<\/p>\n<p>The important engineering consequence is:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>Do not convert load percentage into duty-cycle percentage using a universal rule.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A statement such as \u201c50% load permits twice the duty cycle\u201d may sound useful, but it is not a valid general selection rule unless the specific manufacturer provides data supporting that relationship for the actuator under review.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, use this sequence:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Determine the real actuator-axis load for each important motion segment.<\/li>\n<li>Determine the required loaded speed.<\/li>\n<li>Find the manufacturer&#8217;s duty-cycle rating and any load-dependent curve or table.<\/li>\n<li>Compare the real operating point with the documented rating conditions.<\/li>\n<li>If the documentation does not cover the application, request configuration-specific data or validate the representative cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This also protects against a common catalog mistake: treating maximum force, maximum speed, maximum stroke, and published duty cycle as if they necessarily describe one simultaneous operating point.<\/p>\n<p>ServoCylMotion&#8217;s current product governance explicitly treats published ranges as <strong>selection envelopes<\/strong>, not automatically as one guaranteed combination. The same discipline should be applied to duty-cycle interpretation.<\/p>\n<h2>Passing the Mechanical Sizing Check Does Not Close the Thermal Check<\/h2>\n<p>Force and thermal duty answer different questions.<\/p>\n<p>A force calculation asks:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Can the actuator generate the required force through the mechanism?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A duty-cycle review asks:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Can the actuator repeat the required powered motion and rest pattern without exceeding its thermal limits?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>An actuator can pass the first question and still need further verification for the second.<\/p>\n<p>That is why the complete operating requirement includes:<\/p>\n<p><strong>load + loaded speed + stroke + run time + rest time + ambient condition + control\/holding behavior<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you are still defining the mechanical load case, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/static-vs-dynamic-load\/\">Static Load vs Dynamic Load guide<\/a> to separate holding, powered motion, acceleration, impact, and repeated loading before you interpret duty cycle.<\/p>\n<h2>Do Not Assume a Universal Reference Window<\/h2>\n<p>One of the easiest mistakes is to turn a duty-cycle percentage into minutes without checking how the manufacturer defines the rating.<\/p>\n<p>Different guidance can use different examples or reference conventions. Thomson demonstrates the formula with a one-minute cycle example. Other actuator suppliers may publish ten-minute tables or define product-specific test conditions.<\/p>\n<p>So a statement such as:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cA 20% duty cycle always means two minutes on and eight minutes off.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>is too broad.<\/p>\n<p>The defensible interpretation is:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>A 20% duty cycle means powered operation occupies 20% of the manufacturer-defined or application-defined cycle used for that rating.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Then check the product documentation for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>reference period;<\/li>\n<li>maximum continuous run time, if specified;<\/li>\n<li>minimum rest\/cooling period, if specified;<\/li>\n<li>rated load or load curve;<\/li>\n<li>rated voltage;<\/li>\n<li>ambient-temperature condition;<\/li>\n<li>mounting or airflow assumptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The product-specific conditions control the engineering decision.<\/p>\n<h2>Average Duty Cycle and Continuous Run Time Are Different Checks<\/h2>\n<p>Two schedules can have the same nominal duty percentage and still create different short-term thermal behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Consider these illustrative cycles:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cycle A<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>12 seconds powered<\/li>\n<li>48 seconds off<\/li>\n<li>repeat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cycle B<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>120 seconds powered<\/li>\n<li>480 seconds off<\/li>\n<li>repeat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both calculate to 20% nominal duty.<\/p>\n<p>But they do not impose the same pattern of heat generation and cooling. Cycle B contains a much longer uninterrupted powered interval.<\/p>\n<p>This does not mean Cycle B is automatically unacceptable. It means the percentage alone cannot prove equivalence.<\/p>\n<p>If the actuator documentation specifies a maximum continuous run time, that limit must be checked separately. If no adequate transient or thermal data exists for a demanding cycle, representative application testing may be required within the manufacturer&#8217;s permitted operating envelope.<\/p>\n<h2>Ambient Temperature and Enclosure Conditions Matter<\/h2>\n<p>An actuator has to reject internally generated heat to its surroundings.<\/p>\n<p>A warmer environment or restricted airflow can reduce the available thermal margin. Manufacturer guidance commonly identifies ambient temperature as one of the conditions that can influence actuator duty capability.<\/p>\n<p>Applications that deserve extra attention include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>sealed machine enclosures;<\/li>\n<li>compact OEM assemblies with little airflow;<\/li>\n<li>equipment close to motors, heaters, or process heat;<\/li>\n<li>outdoor installations exposed to solar heating;<\/li>\n<li>equipment whose highest production rate coincides with the hottest ambient period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The correct response is not to apply a generic percentage derating rule.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, look for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>specified operating-temperature range;<\/li>\n<li>load-versus-duty-cycle data;<\/li>\n<li>temperature-dependent limits;<\/li>\n<li>maximum continuous operating time;<\/li>\n<li>test conditions used for the published rating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the product documentation does not establish the necessary thermal envelope, treat that as an evidence gap to resolve before release.<\/p>\n<h2>Is Stationary Time Always Cooling Time?<\/h2>\n<p>No. It depends on the control and holding architecture.<\/p>\n<p>Some mechanisms can remain in position with the motor fully unpowered. Others may use a brake, active motor torque, servo holding current, or another energized control state.<\/p>\n<p>For duty-cycle work, ask:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is motor power removed during the dwell?<\/li>\n<li>Does the drive continue supplying holding current?<\/li>\n<li>Is position retained mechanically?<\/li>\n<li>Does a brake coil remain energized?<\/li>\n<li>Does the control system intentionally keep the motor active?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the system continues to supply current while stationary, that dwell should <strong>not automatically be treated as equivalent to an unpowered cooling interval<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This is also why holding behavior should be specified separately from motion. The <a href=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/actuator-control-system-guide\/\">Actuator Control System Guide<\/a> covers the wider relationship among drive stage, feedback, state logic, power, and holding behavior.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ServoCylMotion 29V multi-motor controller used as context for powered holding and control review\" src=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/scm-system-compatibility-controller-20260920-scaled.webp\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Whether a stationary interval is true cooling time depends on how the motor, drive, and holding logic are configured.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>A Practical Thermal-Duty Verification Workflow<\/h2>\n<p>The most useful way to apply duty cycle is to make it part of the requirements package.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1: Bring in the mechanical operating point<\/h3>\n<p>Before thermal verification, bring forward the already-defined:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>actuator-axis force;<\/li>\n<li>stroke;<\/li>\n<li>loaded speed;<\/li>\n<li>motion direction;<\/li>\n<li>installation geometry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Do not re-solve those items here. The existing sizing workflow owns those calculations; this article uses the resulting operating point as an input.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Write one representative cycle<\/h3>\n<p>Document every powered move and dwell in chronological order.<\/p>\n<p>Include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>extension time;<\/li>\n<li>extension load;<\/li>\n<li>process dwell;<\/li>\n<li>retraction time;<\/li>\n<li>retraction load;<\/li>\n<li>intermediate moves;<\/li>\n<li>idle time;<\/li>\n<li>starts and reversals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Step 3: Calculate nominal powered duty<\/h3>\n<p>Add the powered intervals and divide by total cycle time.<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">Required nominal duty (%) =\r\ntotal powered motion time \/ total cycle time \u00d7 100\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Use the <strong>most demanding credible production cycle<\/strong>, not a shift-average that hides short periods of intensive operation.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4: Identify the thermally demanding segments<\/h3>\n<p>Nominal on-time alone does not show which segment is hardest on the actuator.<\/p>\n<p>Mark the portions with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>highest load;<\/li>\n<li>highest required loaded speed;<\/li>\n<li>longest uninterrupted run;<\/li>\n<li>reduced cooling opportunity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These segments become the focus of product-data review and validation.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 5: Read the duty rating with its conditions<\/h3>\n<p>For each candidate actuator, verify the meaning of the published number.<\/p>\n<p>Look for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>duty-cycle percentage;<\/li>\n<li>reference period;<\/li>\n<li>rated load condition;<\/li>\n<li>load-dependent chart;<\/li>\n<li>ambient-temperature condition;<\/li>\n<li>maximum continuous run time;<\/li>\n<li>voltage or speed assumptions;<\/li>\n<li>cooling or installation notes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If one of these matters to your application and the documentation is silent, record it as an open engineering question rather than filling the gap with a rule of thumb.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6: Check the real installation<\/h3>\n<p>Compare the test or catalog condition with the actual machine.<\/p>\n<p>Ask whether the actuator will operate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>inside an enclosure;<\/li>\n<li>close to another heat source;<\/li>\n<li>with restricted airflow;<\/li>\n<li>at elevated ambient temperature;<\/li>\n<li>at a different supply condition;<\/li>\n<li>with powered holding between movements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A duty rating proven under one thermal environment should not be transferred blindly to a meaningfully different one.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 7: Preserve thermal headroom without inventing a universal factor<\/h3>\n<p>Thermal headroom is useful, but the bound evidence does not support one universal duty-cycle margin for every actuator and application.<\/p>\n<p>The required headroom depends on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>production-rate variation;<\/li>\n<li>load variation;<\/li>\n<li>temperature variation;<\/li>\n<li>friction and wear;<\/li>\n<li>ventilation;<\/li>\n<li>uncertainty in the cycle definition;<\/li>\n<li>consequence of thermal shutdown or failure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Use manufacturer data, project risk, and validation results to decide how much margin is appropriate.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 8: Validate the representative production cycle when needed<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ServoCylMotion actuator test equipment used as context for representative cycle validation\" src=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/servocylmotion-factory-test-equipment-01.webp\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Representative-cycle validation should follow the product limits and the project&#8217;s defined test plan.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>For demanding applications, test the actuator in a configuration that represents:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>actual load;<\/li>\n<li>actual stroke;<\/li>\n<li>required loaded speed;<\/li>\n<li>production cycle timing;<\/li>\n<li>expected enclosure;<\/li>\n<li>worst credible ambient condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Follow the manufacturer or project test plan, monitor the relevant thermal limits, and document whether the representative cycle remains inside the permitted operating envelope.<\/p>\n<p>Application testing should not be used to justify operation beyond a manufacturer&#8217;s published limit. It is used to close evidence gaps within the permitted operating envelope.<\/p>\n<h2>Worked Example: From Machine Cycle to Thermal Questions<\/h2>\n<p>Assume an industrial positioning mechanism has this repeating cycle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>powered extension: 18 s;<\/li>\n<li>process dwell: 12 s, motor unpowered;<\/li>\n<li>powered retraction: 16 s;<\/li>\n<li>idle: 74 s, motor unpowered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Total powered time:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">18 + 16 = 34 s\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Total cycle time:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">18 + 12 + 16 + 74 = 120 s\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>Nominal duty requirement:<\/p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-text\">34 \/ 120 \u00d7 100 = 28.3%\r\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<p>So the application requires about <strong>28% nominal powered duty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>That does not yet approve an actuator.<\/p>\n<p>The selection review still needs to answer:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What actuator-axis load occurs during the 18-second extension?<\/li>\n<li>What load occurs during retraction?<\/li>\n<li>What loaded speed is required in each direction?<\/li>\n<li>Does the candidate&#8217;s published duty rating apply at those loads?<\/li>\n<li>What reference period and maximum continuous run conditions apply?<\/li>\n<li>Is the expected ambient temperature inside the rating conditions?<\/li>\n<li>Is the actuator installed in free air or inside an enclosure?<\/li>\n<li>Are the stated dwell and idle periods truly unpowered?<\/li>\n<li>Does the product documentation cover this cycle, or is representative testing required?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The calculation gives the <strong>requirement<\/strong>. The product evidence determines whether the candidate can satisfy it.<\/p>\n<h2>Common Duty-Cycle Selection Errors<\/h2>\n<h3>Using the percentage without its rating conditions<\/h3>\n<p>A number such as 10%, 25%, or 50% has limited engineering value without its product-specific definition.<\/p>\n<h3>Averaging across an entire shift<\/h3>\n<p>A machine may be idle for hours and still operate at a demanding cycle rate for a short production window. The actuator must tolerate the intensive period.<\/p>\n<h3>Forgetting powered return motion<\/h3>\n<p>If retraction is powered, it belongs in on-time.<\/p>\n<h3>Treating every dwell as cooling<\/h3>\n<p>A stationary actuator may still be energized depending on the holding\/control architecture.<\/p>\n<h3>Assuming lower load gives a predictable duty increase<\/h3>\n<p>Lower load can improve thermal margin, but the improvement is not a universal percentage.<\/p>\n<h3>Combining catalog maxima<\/h3>\n<p>Maximum force, maximum speed, maximum stroke, and duty-cycle figures should not be assumed to occur simultaneously unless the selected configuration&#8217;s data proves that operating point.<\/p>\n<h3>Passing the mechanical sizing check and stopping there<\/h3>\n<p>Force and stroke suitability do not establish repeated thermal suitability.<\/p>\n<h2>Duty-Cycle Requirements to Put in an RFQ<\/h2>\n<p>Instead of writing:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Need a 2,000 N actuator at 30% duty cycle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>provide the operating profile behind the number.<\/p>\n<p>A stronger technical request includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>required actuator-axis load in each direction;<\/li>\n<li>required loaded speed;<\/li>\n<li>stroke;<\/li>\n<li>extension time;<\/li>\n<li>retraction time;<\/li>\n<li>dwell times;<\/li>\n<li>cycles per hour or minute;<\/li>\n<li>longest continuous powered interval;<\/li>\n<li>expected ambient-temperature range;<\/li>\n<li>enclosure\/airflow condition;<\/li>\n<li>supply voltage;<\/li>\n<li>powered or unpowered holding behavior;<\/li>\n<li>expected service schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That information lets the supplier review the real operating point rather than matching a single percentage.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Duty-Cycle Verification Checklist<\/h2>\n<p>Before releasing an actuator for repeated industrial motion, confirm:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>[ ] Force, stroke, loaded speed, and geometry have already been sized.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] One complete production cycle is documented.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] All powered extension, retraction, and intermediate moves are counted.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Nominal duty cycle is calculated.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Longest continuous powered interval is known.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] High-load and high-speed segments are identified.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Manufacturer reference period is known.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Load-dependent duty data is checked when available.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Ambient-temperature conditions are checked.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Enclosure and airflow differences are considered.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Holding current or powered dwell behavior is understood.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Independent catalog maxima have not been combined into one assumed operating point.<\/li>\n<li>[ ] Representative cycle testing is planned when published data does not cover the application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What does a 25% linear actuator duty cycle mean?<\/h3>\n<p>It means powered operation represents 25% of the defined cycle or reference period used for the rating. The exact run\/rest pattern, load, ambient condition, and any continuous-run limit must still be checked in the product documentation.<\/p>\n<h3>Does higher load reduce actuator duty cycle?<\/h3>\n<p>It can reduce allowable operating time because load changes the actuator&#8217;s thermal demand. Some manufacturers publish load-dependent duty-cycle charts. Use those product-specific data rather than a universal load-to-duty conversion.<\/p>\n<h3>Does a lower load mean the actuator can run continuously?<\/h3>\n<p>Not automatically. Lower load may improve thermal margin, but continuous operation should only be assumed when the selected actuator is specified or validated for that operating condition.<\/p>\n<h3>Does retraction count toward duty cycle?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes when the motor is powered during retraction. Add all powered movement intervals to the nominal on-time calculation.<\/p>\n<h3>Does holding position count as duty cycle?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends on the system. If the actuator holds mechanically with motor power removed, the dwell may provide cooling time. If the motor or drive remains energized, do not automatically treat the stationary period as an unpowered rest interval.<\/p>\n<h2>Release the Requirement, Not Just the Percentage<\/h2>\n<p>The duty-cycle calculation itself is simple.<\/p>\n<p>The reliable selection decision is not.<\/p>\n<p>A useful actuator specification connects the percentage to the <strong>real cycle profile, real load, real continuous run duration, real ambient condition, and the manufacturer&#8217;s documented rating basis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>That is the point where duty cycle becomes an engineering requirement rather than a catalog label.<\/p>\n<p>Once the mechanical requirements are defined, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/product-selector\/\">ServoCylMotion Product Selector<\/a> to organize the project inputs before reviewing a specific actuator configuration.<\/p>\n<h2>Engineering References<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Thomson Linear \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonlinear.com\/en\/support\/tips\/how-does-duty-cycle-affect-my-actuator\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How does duty cycle affect my actuator?<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Thomson Linear \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonlinear.com\/en\/training\/linear_actuators\/duty_cycle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Linear Actuators: Duty Cycle<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Actuonix Motion Devices \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.actuonix.com\/what-is-duty-cycle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What is Duty Cycle?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aprenda a calcular o ciclo de duty do atuador linear e verificar carga, tempo de funcionamento cont\u00ednuo, condi\u00e7\u00f5es ambientais, manuten\u00e7\u00e3o energizada e resfriamento antes da sele\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actuator-basics-selection"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4692"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4694,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4692\/revisions\/4694"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/servocylmotion.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}