RC Servo Voltage and Torque

RC Servo Voltage and Torque

RC servos, or radio-controlled servomotors, are a type of actuator commonly used in remote-controlled hobby and industrial applications. One of the key characteristics of RC servos is their torque capacity, which is directly related to the voltage they draw.

RC servos operate on a DC voltage, typically between 4.8 and 7.4 volts. The amount of torque that a servo can produce is directly proportional to the voltage it receives. This means that as the voltage increases, the torque capacity of the servo also increases. A servo running on 6 volts will have a higher torque capacity than one running on 4.8 volts. 

However, the relationship between torque and voltage is not linear, but usually a square function. That is, if voltage increases twofold, torque increases fourfold. The result is that a servo running on 6 volts will have more than double the torque capacity of one running on 4.8 volts and so on.

Another factor that affects torque capacity is the size of the servo. A larger servo typically has a higher torque capacity than a smaller one, and certainly will have gears with a greater capacity for handling load. 

While a higher voltage may increase the torque capacity of a servo, it also increases the risk of damage to the servo and its surroundings, and not all servos can handle high voltage as it can burn out the internal electronic components. Always check the manufacturer specifications to know the range of voltage and torque your servo can handle, servos capable of higher voltages are usually designated as HV. Here at Techtonic Hobbies we stock predominantly Futaba and Savox servos, of between 6 and 7.4 volts.

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Until next time..... RC On!!