How do you keep magnets safely within their designed operating range?

A 57-inch scraphandler lift magnet
A 57-inch scraphandler lift magnet

Simply by paying strict attention to the magnet’s duty cycle. Duty cycle is the time the magnet is in use. More specifically, duty cycle is the percentage of time a magnet is to receive its rated voltage in any 10-minute period. Most magnets are designed to operate at a 50 percent or 75 percent duty cycle.

For example, in any 10-minute operating period, the magnet can run five minutes on, five minutes off for a 50 percent duty cycle. For a 75 percent duty cycle, the magnet can run for 7.5 minutes, off for 2.5 minutes.

During the off cycle, the magnet is given time to cool and – provided this rule is not broken – should allow a magnet to operate at its designed rating throughout the day.

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