AC Hydraulic Power Units for Industrial Applications
An AC hydraulic power pack is a self-contained hydraulic power unit designed to provide controlled hydraulic flow and pressure to machinery and equipment. AC hydraulic power units use an electric motor supplied by AC power to drive a hydraulic pump, which then supplies hydraulic fluid to the connected hydraulic circuit.
Gerrard Hydraulics designs and manufactures hydraulic power units to customer specifications, with power sources including electric motors, air motors, petrol engines and diesel engines. Power ratings range from 0.25 kW to 100 kW, allowing units to be configured for applications across agriculture, mining, manufacturing, marine, offshore and other industries.
Available options include fixed or variable displacement pumps, single or multiple pumps, load-sensing systems, electronic displacement controllers, filtration packages, self-diagnostic protection systems and noise-control options.
Looking for an AC hydraulic power pack or hydraulic AC power unit for a specific application? Contact Gerrard Hydraulics to discuss your requirements.
What Is an AC Hydraulic Power Unit?
An AC hydraulic power unit is a system that converts electrical energy into hydraulic power. An AC electric motor drives a hydraulic pump, which draws fluid from a reservoir and supplies it to the hydraulic circuit at the required flow and pressure.
In simple terms:
AC electrical power → Electric motor → Hydraulic pump → Hydraulic flow and pressure → Hydraulic equipment
The hydraulic power unit can operate components such as cylinders, hydraulic motors, presses, clamps, lifting equipment and other hydraulic machinery.
The correct configuration depends on the application’s required:
- Hydraulic flow
- Operating pressure
- Motor power
- Duty cycle
- Pump type
- Control system
- Filtration
- Reservoir capacity
- Operating environment
AC Hydraulic Power Unit Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Power range | 0.25–100 kW |
| Power sources | Electric, air motor, petrol or diesel |
| Pump options | Fixed or variable displacement |
| Pump configuration | Single or multiple pumps |
| Controls | Basic to electronic displacement control |
| Load-sensing | Available |
| Filtration | Filtration packages available |
| Protection | Self-diagnostic protection options |
| Noise control | Available depending on application |
| Configuration | Manufactured to customer specifications |
The final specification is selected according to the hydraulic system and machinery being powered.
Key Features of AC Hydraulic Power Packs
Fixed and Variable Displacement Pumps
AC hydraulic power packs can be fitted with fixed-displacement pumps for straightforward applications or variable-displacement pumps where hydraulic output needs to respond to changing system requirements.
Single or multiple pump configurations can also be provided where different hydraulic circuits require separate flow or pressure characteristics.
Load-Sensing Control
Load-sensing systems can be incorporated where the pump needs to respond to changing hydraulic demand. This can be useful for machinery with variable loads or multiple hydraulic functions.
Electronic Displacement Controllers
Electronic displacement controllers are available for applications requiring more advanced control of hydraulic pump output. The appropriate control system depends on the machinery and hydraulic circuit.
Filtration and Protection
Filtration packages can be incorporated to help manage hydraulic fluid cleanliness, while self-diagnostic protection systems can provide additional monitoring and protection depending on the selected configuration.
Noise Control
Noise-control options can be considered where the hydraulic power unit operates in workshops, manufacturing facilities or other environments where equipment noise needs to be managed.
How Does an AC Hydraulic Power Pack Work?
An AC hydraulic power pack operates through several basic stages:
- AC power supply – Electrical power is supplied to the electric motor.
- Motor drives the pump – The motor rotates the hydraulic pump.
- Hydraulic flow is generated – The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and delivers it into the hydraulic circuit.
- Pressure is developed – Resistance within the circuit creates hydraulic pressure.
- Hydraulic equipment operates – Fluid powers cylinders, motors, presses or other hydraulic components.
- Fluid returns to the reservoir – Hydraulic fluid returns through the circuit for continued operation.
The exact arrangement of pumps, valves, controls and filtration depends on the application.
Applications for AC Hydraulic Power Units
AC hydraulic power units can be used across a wide range of industrial and heavy-duty applications.
Manufacturing and Industrial
Applications can include:
- Hydraulic presses
- Injection moulding equipment
- Metal shears and press brakes
- Material handling systems
- Scissor lifts
- Automated production machinery
- Hydraulic clamping systems
An AC power unit is particularly suitable for fixed industrial installations where a reliable electrical supply is available.
Agriculture and Forestry
Hydraulic power is used extensively throughout agricultural and forestry equipment. Potential applications include:
- Tractor implements
- Harvesters
- Balers
- Sprayers
- Log splitters
- Wood chippers
- Forestry cranes
- Timber handling equipment
Mining and Construction
Hydraulic systems are used in demanding mining and construction environments, including:
- Drilling equipment
- Hydraulic crushers
- Rock breakers
- Conveyors
- Excavator attachments
- Material handling equipment
- Earthmoving machinery
For remote machinery without access to a suitable electrical supply, an engine-driven hydraulic power unit may be more appropriate.
Marine and Offshore
Hydraulic power units can also be configured for marine and offshore applications such as:
- Anchor winches
- Mooring systems
- Deck cranes
- Hydraulic capstans
- Hatch cover systems
- Steering systems
- Offshore handling equipment
- Subsea tooling
The power source and equipment configuration should be selected according to the operating environment and applicable safety requirements.
How to Choose the Right AC Hydraulic Power Pack
Choosing an AC hydraulic power pack requires more than simply selecting a motor size. The hydraulic requirements of the machinery should be established first.
1. Determine Hydraulic Flow
Identify the flow required by the connected equipment, usually specified in litres per minute (LPM).
2. Determine Operating Pressure
Establish the normal and maximum pressure requirements of the hydraulic circuit. The pump, valves, hoses and fittings must be appropriately rated.
3. Select Motor Power
The electric motor must provide sufficient power for the required hydraulic flow and pressure while considering the system’s efficiency and duty cycle.
4. Select the Pump Configuration
Consider whether the application requires a fixed or variable displacement pump, load-sensing operation, or single or multiple pumps.
5. Consider Controls
Simple systems may only require basic controls, while automated machinery may require electronic displacement control, monitoring or diagnostic functions.
6. Consider the Operating Environment
Installation location, temperature, contamination, available space, noise requirements and access to electrical power can all influence the final design.
AC Power Unit vs Diesel or Petrol Power
The appropriate power source depends on where the hydraulic unit will operate.
An AC power unit is generally suited to fixed installations where a suitable electrical supply is available. Electric motors can be a practical option for manufacturing plants, workshops and other stationary equipment.
Where equipment needs to operate in remote or mobile locations, a diesel or petrol engine-driven hydraulic power unit may be more suitable. Air motor options can also be considered for applications where compressed air is available.
Gerrard Hydraulics can design hydraulic power units around different power-source requirements, including electric, air, petrol and diesel configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I look for when purchasing an AC hydraulic power pack?
Consider hydraulic flow and pressure requirements, motor power, pump type, duty cycle, reservoir capacity, controls, filtration, installation space and operating environment. The power unit should be matched to the machinery rather than selected solely by motor size.
What is an AC power supply unit?
An AC power supply unit provides electrical power from an AC source to equipment such as an electric motor. In a hydraulic application, the motor uses this electrical power to drive the hydraulic pump.
Can an AC hydraulic power unit use a variable-displacement pump?
Yes. Variable-displacement pumps can be incorporated where the application requires hydraulic output to respond to changing system demand.
Are diesel powered AC units available?
Gerrard Hydraulics offers hydraulic power units with electric, air motor, petrol and diesel power-source options. The appropriate configuration depends on the application and operating environment.
Are gas powered AC units available?
Petrol-engine-driven hydraulic power units can be considered where an independent engine power source is required. The appropriate configuration depends on the machinery and operating conditions.
How do I choose the right AC hydraulic power pack?
Start with the required hydraulic flow, operating pressure, motor power and duty cycle. Then consider pump type, controls, filtration, available power supply and the environment in which the unit will operate.
Can AC hydraulic power packs be customised?
Yes. Gerrard Hydraulics designs and manufactures hydraulic power units to customer specifications, including pump, motor, control, filtration, diagnostic and noise-control options.
Why Choose Gerrard Hydraulics?
Gerrard Hydraulics designs and manufactures hydraulic power units for industrial, agricultural, mining, marine, offshore and mobile applications.
Our capabilities include:
- AC hydraulic power packs
- AC hydraulic power units
- Fixed and variable displacement pumps
- Load-sensing systems
- Single and multiple pump configurations
- Electronic displacement controllers
- Filtration packages
- Self-diagnostic protection
- Noise-control options
- Electric, air, petrol and diesel power sources
With power ratings from 0.25 kW to 100 kW, we can develop hydraulic power solutions around the requirements of your machinery.
Get an AC Hydraulic Power Pack
Need an AC hydraulic power pack for an industrial or specialised hydraulic application?
Gerrard Hydraulics can design and manufacture a hydraulic power unit to suit your required flow, pressure, power rating, pump configuration and operating environment.
Gerrard Hydraulics
📍 39 Sorbonne Crescent, Canning Vale WA 6155
📞 (08) 9455 2344
✉ admin@gerrardhydraulics.com.au
