Move more. Strain less.
No more craning and pulling. Plug into 120V. Get long stroke, quiet push‑pull, and smooth control at the tap of a button.
What is a 120V long‑stroke electric actuator
- A plug‑in electric ram that moves in a straight line—up, down, in, out.
- Runs on 120 VAC. No bulky DC power supplies.
- Long travel: often 300–1500 mm (12–60 in), with custom options beyond.
- Inside: AC motor + gearbox + lead screw or ball screw. Converts spin to thrust.
- Formats: rod‑style, inline, parallel‑mount, telescopic.
- Also called: 120VAC linear actuator, AC electric actuator 120V, long throw electric cylinder, electric ram.
Why choose 120V over low voltage
- Direct from the wall. Standard outlet. No converters.
- More power with lower amps. Cooler cable runs. Less voltage drop over distance.
- Plant‑floor friendly. Easy to tie into relays, contactors, and PLCs.
- A strong pick vs 24V DC for heavy loads and long strokes.
Key specs to get right
- Stroke length: match travel; plan custom if needed.
- Force: size for dynamic (moving) and static (holding). Add ~30% safety margin.
- Speed: mm/s or in/s. Higher force usually means lower speed.
- Duty cycle: S2 (short‑time) or S3 (intermittent). Consider continuous‑duty options.
- Power: note inrush and stall current at 120V.
- Feedback and control: built‑in limit switches; potentiometer or Hall sensors for position; PLC or simple switches.
- Protection: IP44–IP67 as required. Overload and thermal protection. EMI considerations.
- Build: aluminum for light weight; stainless for harsh sites; bearings/bushings to suit life and noise targets.
- Size and noise: check envelope and dB for quiet spaces.
- Mounting: clevis or trunnion; plan brackets and alignment.
- Documentation: wiring diagrams, install guides, troubleshooting.
- Life and cost: cycle life, maintenance, warranty, total cost of ownership.
Where 120V long‑stroke actuators shine
- HVAC: big dampers and valves.
- Buildings: windows, smoke vents, heavy gates.
- Energy: solar trackers.
- Industry: conveyors, tooling, material handling.
- Robotics: precise placement over long travel.
- Medical: lifts and therapy gear (ask about medical‑grade compliance).
- Agriculture: barn doors, feeders.
- Marine: hatches and platforms.
- Home/office: beds, cabinets, TV lifts.
Control options
- Simple: momentary/toggle switches, wired/wireless remotes.
- Smart: PLC/relay panels, interlocks, e‑stops, safety circuits.
- Manual override options for power loss.
- Accessories: sensors, controllers and control boards, position displays.
- Add linear guides for long travel precision.
- Isolation transformers or supplies when code calls for it.
AC vs DC—quick notes
- 120V AC: best for long runs, higher power, relay‑based reversing (swap motor leads).
- DC: H‑bridge reversing, great for mobile/low‑voltage systems.
- Both support feedback (pot or Hall) and hard limit switches.
Inside the build
- Screw choice: ball screw for high efficiency and precision; lead screw for lower cost and quieter runs.
- Tuned gearbox + AC motor + control board to match your load, speed, and duty.
Install, wiring, and care
- Safety: follow local code, ground the unit, lockout/tagout.
- Mounting: align axes, allow pivot at both ends, use correct brackets and clevis kits.
- Wiring: follow the diagram; keep runs tidy and away from high‑EMI.
- Commissioning: set/verify limit switches and travel.
- Maintenance: clean rails, lube per manual, plan cycle‑based checks.
- Troubleshooting: if it stalls, check load, duty cycle, thermal reset, and supply.
Typical ranges at a glance
- Stroke: 300–1500 mm (12–60 in) standard; longer with custom design.
- Force: ~1,000–10,000 N (225–2,250 lb).
- Speed: ~5–50 mm/s depending on load/screw.
- Duty cycle: common S2 short‑time and S3 30%; continuous options exist.
- IP: IP44–IP67; outdoor units need seals and venting.
- Noise: ~45–65 dB; aim <55 dB for quiet rooms.
- Temp: −20 to +60 °C typical.
- Power draw: ~1–8 A at 120V; higher at start/stall.
- Accuracy: ±0.5 to ±1.0 mm with feedback.
- Life: ~100k to 1M strokes based on load and care.
How to choose the best fit
- Define: load, stroke, speed, orientation, environment.
- Calculate: force and stroke (include margin and gravity/friction).
- Set must‑haves: IP rating, duty cycle, noise, feedback, materials.
- Plan control: simple switch vs PLC, safety needs, interlocks.
- Check footprint: envelope, mounts, cable routing.
- Total cost: efficiency, life, maintenance, warranty, integration.
Why Jimi
We design, build, and test linear motion every day. We share what works. We warn you about what breaks. We stand behind it.
- Robust Jimi linear actuators and electric cylinders.
- Solar tracking experience from our industrial solar tracker actuator work.
- Controls and hardware in stock: controllers and mounting kits.
- Support from sizing to PLC logic to installation. Clear warranty. Real people.
Ready to act
- Reach farther. Lift heavier. Place with precision.
- One outlet. One button. Many jobs solved.
- Tell us what you’re moving. We’ll spec it, wire it, and ship it.
Fast quote checklist (paste answers)
- Load (moving/holding), stroke, target speed
- Duty cycle (cycles/hour, on‑time), orientation (vertical/horizontal)
- Environment (IP, temp, washdown), noise limit
- Control (switch/remote/PLC), feedback (none/pot/Hall)
- Mounting style (clevis/trunnion), materials (aluminum/stainless)
- Power run length and cable routing notes
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