
An analysis of literary data on the use of multi-motor electric drives for overhead crane movement mechanisms shows that new types of hoisting mechanisms and automated hoisting and transport systems being created determine new, higher requirements for cranes and their control systems. An electric drive control system should be understood as a complex consisting of an electrical energy converter (if any), control equipment for switching current in the electric motor circuit, manual control or automatic (software) control, high-speed or other control, as well as protection elements for electrical equipment and mechanism, ultimately acting on the drive disconnection devices. Crane control systems are classified as devices that are under the continuous control of the operator, that is in these systems, the moment of inertia, speed parameters and the moment of completion of the operation are selected by the person controlling this mechanism. The control system, in turn, must provide the necessary switching sequence to implement the desired speed parameters, as well as prevent, at the same time, unacceptable overloads and provide the necessary protection. In the crane electric drive, the direct control system using power cam controllers is most widely used. It is characterized by the greatest ease of management and maintenance. Cam controllers with different circuits, depending on their purpose, control DC motors. For lifting mechanisms, an asymmetric controller circuit is used with potentiometric switching on of the motor armature in the descent positions, and for movement mechanisms, a symmetrical controller circuit with resistors switched off in series. With alternating current, cam controllers are used to control single-speed asynchronous squirrel-cage and phase rotor motors. In the first case, the controller performs the functions of turning on and off the squirrel-cage motor without regulating its speed: in the second case, switching the stator windings, as well as the stages of resistors in the rotor circuit.