I came across this question on a forum today. I found it quite interesting. As someone with 18 years of work experience, I’d like to briefly share some of my thoughts.
First of all, let me get straight to the point:
There is NO threshold such as “how many watts counts as a servo motor”! A servo motor is defined by its control type (closed-loop + encoder feedback system), not by its power rating. Servo motors range from a few tens of watts to several hundred kilowatts.
I. Common servo power ratings on the market (industrial mainstream AC servo, 220V)
– 50W, 100W: Micro low-voltage servos, small precision mechanisms
– 200W, 400W: Small equipment, modular systems, robotic arms (most commonly used)
– 750W (0.75kW): The most popular specification for automated production lines
– 1.0kW, 1.5kW, 2.0kW, 3.0kW: Medium-load applications
– 4kW–15kW: Machine tools, large robotic arms, injection molding auxiliary equipment
– Above 15kW (380V high-power servo): Large equipment, presses, spindle servos
II. The most easily confused key points
Misconception: Only motors above 750W are servos; small-wattage ones are all steppers.
This is incorrect. 200W and 400W servos are also very common. Stepper motors generally do not specify a rated wattage; they are mainly rated by holding torque (N·m).
To distinguish between servo and stepper, look at these two points, not power:
– Servo motor: Comes with an encoder (closed-loop feedback), paired with a servo drive, and its nameplate specifies rated power (W/kW)
– Stepper motor: Mostly open-loop, its nameplate only specifies holding torque (N·m) and current, not rated power
III. Here are some daily selection tips for non-standard automation:
– Lightweight modules, small pick-and-place units: 200W / 400W servo
– Conventional conveyors, small-load rotary mechanisms: 750W servo
– Heavy-duty slides, material handling mechanisms: 1.5kW, 2kW, and above
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