2025-04-28

When choosing a servo drive for your automation system, it is essential to understand the key differences between available options. In this article, we compare the Allen-Bradley Kinetix 3, 300, and 350 series—three popular choices known for their reliability and versatility. Each series caters to different industrial needs, from general-purpose applications to advanced, high-speed automation. We’ll break down their features, such as power range, safety capabilities, motor compatibility, and phase support, to help you determine which servo drive best suits your project’s specific requirements and operational demands.

Power Range

The Kinetix 3, 300, and 350 series span a broad spectrum of power outputs, giving customers flexibility depending on their application.

• Kinetix 3: Offers 50 to 1500 Watts of output power and 0.6 to 9.9 Amps RMS. Ideal for lower-power needs such as smaller machines and light-duty activities.

• Kinetix 300 and 350: Provide 400 Watts to 3 kilowatts of output power, making them better suited for demanding applications like material handling, packaging, and automation systems.

For applications requiring more motor output and precision control, the Kinetix 300 and 350 are superior choices.

Input Voltage Range

Each series is designed to meet a variety of industrial voltage needs:

• Kinetix 3: 220-240V AC input, supporting single, dual, and three-phase voltage.

• Kinetix 300: Single-phase (115-240V AC) and three-phase (230-480V AC) input, offering a wider range for more versatile applications.

• Kinetix 350: Single-phase (120-240V AC) and three-phase (240-460V AC) input, providing excellent scalability for mid- to high-power systems.

Controller Compatibility

Choosing the right controller match is critical for system integration:

• Kinetix 3: Works with MicroLogix and SLC 500 controllers, making it great for smaller or legacy systems.

• Kinetix 300: Integrates seamlessly with CompactLogix controllers, offering mid-range system scalability.

• Kinetix 350: Compatible with both CompactLogix and ControlLogix controllers, delivering high-performance flexibility for complex, large-scale industrial systems.

Communication Network

Communication capabilities differ across the models:

• Kinetix 3: Best for small, stand-alone applications where advanced network integration isn't necessary.

• Kinetix 300: Utilizes EtherNet/IP for standardized, efficient communication in mid-sized systems.

• Kinetix 350: Also built around EtherNet/IP, facilitating streamlined scaling and integration into highly networked, performance-driven environments.

Indexing Capabilities

Indexing flexibility is crucial in many automation tasks:

• Kinetix 3: Supports up to 64 I/O points for indexing, offering maximum flexibility for complex positioning applications.

• Kinetix 300 and 350: Support up to 32 indices and 5 index types, offering powerful indexing capabilities with simplified setup, ideal for advanced automation systems.

Safety Features

Safety compliance and protective measures vary:

• Kinetix 3: Offers motor overload protection compliant with UL 508C standards.

• Kinetix 300: Includes Safe Torque-Off (STO) certified to ISO 13849-1 PLd/SIL2 standards, enhancing operator and machine safety.

• Kinetix 350: Features UL 508C motor overload protection, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining safety compliance.

Motor Compatibility and Memory Features

Motor compatibility and memory impact reliability and recovery:

• Kinetix 3: Compatible with a wide variety of motors with or without thermistors but lacks memory retention after a power loss.

• Kinetix 300 and 350: Specifically optimized for TL and MP-series servo motors and actuators, and feature memory modules for automatic device replacement and faster code reuse during commissioning.

Typical Phase Support

Phase support affects power source flexibility:

• Kinetix 3: Supports single-, dual-, and triple-phase configurations for maximum adaptability.

• Kinetix 300 and 350: Support single- and three-phase inputs, sufficient for most industrial applications where standard configurations are expected.

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Which One is Best for You?

• Choose the Kinetix 3 if you need a flexible, cost-effective solution for general-purpose applications, with broad phase support and a variety of motor compatibility options.

• Choose the Kinetix 300 if you require a robust, safety-compliant drive with EtherNet/IP communication and seamless CompactLogix integration for mid-range automation tasks.

• Choose the Kinetix 350 if you are looking for the most advanced features, including simplified code reuse, faster commissioning, and scalable, high-performance integration into complex, large-scale industrial systems.

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Conclusion

In summary, the Allen-Bradley Kinetix 3, 300, and 350 series all offer unique strengths depending on your system’s needs. The Kinetix 3 provides flexible, general-purpose motion control. The Kinetix 300 excels in mid-level automation with network integration and safety features. The Kinetix 350 stands out for high-performance, scalable solutions with faster deployment capabilities.

Looking to purchase an MDS-C1 or MDS-B drive? Contact PLG Automation today:
Email: sales@plgautomation.com
Phone: 800-906-9271