Continuous Duty Linear Actuator Guide and 100 Percent Duty Cycle Fit Checker
If your buyer, engineer, or sourcing team is searching for a 100 duty cycle linear actuator or 100 percent duty cycle linear actuator, this is the canonical page. Use the tool first, then use the report layer to understand when continuous duty is real, when it is conditional, and when you should step up to hydraulic-class electric motion.
Visual reference: continuous-duty class hardware
Tool-first outcome
The checker sorts profiles into intermittent-safe, high-duty review, continuous-duty spec, or hydraulic-class review.
100 duty cycle alias is answered here
This canonical page covers continuous duty linear actuator intent and the alias phrasing 100 duty cycle linear actuator or 100 percent duty cycle linear actuator in one URL.
Evidence-driven
Later sections tie the recommendation back to official vendor data rather than generic duty-cycle slogans.
Tool interpretation
What the first-screen tool is screening
The top block answers the action intent immediately. This follow-up block clarifies how to read the output before you move into the deeper evidence and comparison layers.
Tool-first outcome
The checker sorts profiles into intermittent-safe, high-duty review, continuous-duty spec, or hydraulic-class review.
100 duty cycle alias is answered here
This canonical page covers continuous duty linear actuator intent and the alias phrasing 100 duty cycle linear actuator or 100 percent duty cycle linear actuator in one URL.
Evidence-driven
Later sections tie the recommendation back to official vendor data rather than generic duty-cycle slogans.
The tool does not try to predict the exact motor winding temperature. It screens whether the profile deserves intermittent-duty pricing, high-duty review, or continuous-duty treatment.
That keeps the first answer useful without pretending the page has replaced the supplier's thermal model.
A high score does not force one exact brand or actuator. It means your buying brief should escalate from commodity DC hardware to continuous-duty electric or hydraulic-class alternatives.
That shift is usually where the real cost and reliability trade-off becomes visible.
Report summary
Core conclusions and decision signals
These blocks answer the buyer question first, then make the operating boundary explicit so the page does not over-promise.
| Term | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous duty | The actuator or motor is intended for sustained operation until thermal equilibrium is reached inside its rated envelope. | Use when you are writing the broad requirement or searching for a product class. |
| 100 percent duty cycle | A rating that signals uninterrupted operation is possible in a defined operating zone, not automatically at worst-case load and temperature. | Use in RFQs only when you also provide load, speed, ambient temperature, and cycle profile. |
| Full-load duty cycle | The published duty limit at the manufacturer's stated maximum dynamic load and reference temperature. | Use to avoid over-reading a headline 100% claim. |
| Thermal duty curve | The load-speed-temperature operating envelope that shows where continuous operation is allowed. | Use for final selection and supplier validation before release. |
Common low-duty reference
10%
LINAK LA23 shows 2 minutes on and 18 minutes off.
Industrial DC example
20%
LINAK LA36 lists 4 minutes on and 16 minutes off at shorter strokes.
Full-load smart actuator example
35 to 45%
Thomson LL and XD publish full-load duty limits at 25 C even when marketing highlights up to 100%.
Hydraulic-class electric option
294 kN
Tolomatic RSX catalog shows up to 66,000 lbf with a 100% duty-cycle design target.
Proof map
What the public record confirms and what it still cannot confirm
This stage1b layer maps each core conclusion to reviewed official material and marks the places where the public record is still too thin for a clean procurement decision.
| Conclusion | What the reviewed sources show | Primary sources | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| The reviewed official documents frame continuous service as a thermal-envelope question, not as a standalone public test standard called "100 percent duty cycle linear actuator." | ABB defines S1 by thermal equilibrium, Thomson uses continuous and intermittent duty zones, and Tolomatic uses RMS thrust and velocity limits. | ABB motor guideThomson PC Series brochureTolomatic IMA manual | 2026-03-31 |
| Headline 100% duty claims still need load and temperature conditions. | Thomson Electrak XD states that all models are rated to 45% duty at full load and 25 C, with higher duty possible only at lower load or lower ambient temperature. | Thomson Electrak XD brochure | 2026-03-31 |
| Commodity electric actuators remain intermittent in public catalogs. | LINAK LA23 publishes 10% duty, while LA36 publishes 20%, 15%, and 10% bands depending on stroke and lists full performance only from +5 C to +40 C. | LINAK LA23 data sheetLINAK LA36 data sheet | 2026-03-31 |
| Life-test numbers and continuous-duty proof are different documents. | LINAK says LA36 B10 values are based on long-time testing at room temperature and with 20% duty cycle. | LINAK LA36 product page | 2026-03-31 |
| Industrial continuous-duty platforms still depend on RMS and thermal limits. | Thomson only allows 100% duty inside the continuous zone, while Tolomatic states RMS thrust and velocity must remain inside the continuous-duty region and warns that near-100 C winding temperatures reduce life. | Thomson PC Series brochureTolomatic IMA manual | 2026-03-31 |
| Gap | Current public state | Why limited | Minimum next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-vendor 100% duty test basis for full actuator assemblies | No reliable public cross-vendor test standard was found in the official documents reviewed on 2026-03-31. | Public material points back to vendor-specific load, speed, stroke, ambient, and RMS envelopes rather than one universal pass-fail method. | Ask for the exact duty-test basis in writing: dynamic load, stroke, speed, ambient, orientation, dwell, and allowable winding temperature. |
| Comparable public pricing for continuous-duty industrial actuators | No reliable public cross-brand configured price benchmark was found as of 2026-03-31. | Most industrial continuous-duty pages reviewed are quote-led, and total cost depends on motor, drive, feedback, sealing, and force package. | Compare total installed cost, downtime risk, controls integration, and maintenance interval in the RFQ instead of list price alone. |
| Application-specific life at your exact duty profile | Public life figures are usually generic and may be based on room-temperature or lower-duty test conditions. | Life depends on RMS thrust and speed, temperature, stroke, contamination, and mounting details that brochures do not fully publish. | Request an application-specific life estimate or thermal validation before release. |
| Hot enclosure or washdown derating | Official sources publish ambient ranges and some IP options, but no universal derating rule for every sealed cabinet or washdown install was found. | Self-heating, enclosure airflow, sealing, and cleaning regime are application-specific and often missing from catalog summaries. | Treat sealed cabinets, direct sun, or washdown as separate validation items even when the actuator headline says 100% duty. |
Method and evidence
How the screening method works
The page uses a simple planning heuristic: start with duty-cycle math, then apply stress multipliers for load, heat, and motion profile so the result pushes you toward the right product class instead of a false-positive bargain.
Cycle math
On-time divided by total cycle time.
Thermal stress
Load, temperature, and motion profile lift the screening score.
Selection path
Move from intermittent to continuous-duty or hydraulic-class platforms.
| Adjusted-duty band | Likely fit | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted duty below 25% | Intermittent-duty DC actuator can still be viable. | Confirm the vendor's published duty window and motor temperature protection. | This is where many cost-led actuators are still comfortable if daily hours stay modest. |
| Adjusted duty between 25% and 50% | High-duty brushed or entry brushless actuator needs review. | Request a duty curve at your actual load, stroke, and ambient temperature. | This is the zone where marketing language starts to diverge sharply from full-load ratings. |
| Adjusted duty between 50% and 75% | Specify continuous-duty or 100 percent duty language in the quote package. | Move from catalog screening to vendor sizing support and thermal validation. | The margin for error gets thin once run time dominates the cycle. |
| Adjusted duty above 75% | Treat it as a continuous-service engineering problem. | Compare brushless electric rod actuators, roller-screw platforms, and hydraulic conversion options. | High force, high temperature, or long daily hours can break a nominally continuous platform if the envelope is ignored. |
The checker is not a thermal simulation. It will understate risk if you ignore side load, acceleration peaks, enclosure temperature rise, or supply-voltage sag.
That is why the result always points you back to full-load duty ratings, operating envelopes, and supplier support.
Thomson explicitly distinguishes continuous-operation zones from intermittent zones. LINAK explicitly changes duty ratio by stroke, load, and ambient temperature. Those two patterns explain why a simple keyword match is never enough.
Evidence layer
Source-backed signals from current official documents
Each row below answers a specific claim buyers hear in the market. Research was refreshed on 2026-03-31 from 9 official sources so the page can show conditions, not just slogans.
| Source | Signal | Key data | Decision use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABB motor guide | S1 continuous running duty | Defines continuous running duty as constant load long enough to reach thermal equilibrium, and notes that continuous duty is assumed when motor duty type is not otherwise indicated. | Continuous duty is fundamentally a thermal concept. The whole actuator still needs its own operating envelope. |
| LINAK LA23 data sheet | 10% duty cycle | 2 minutes continuous use followed by 18 minutes not in use. | A useful baseline for what many compact DC actuators still look like when they are not designed for continuous service. |
| LINAK LA36 data sheet | 10% to 20% duty cycle | Up to 20% at shorter strokes, falling to 10% at long strokes, with full performance only from +5 C to +40 C and reduced performance outside that zone. | Stroke length and temperature can reduce usable duty even inside the same actuator family. |
| Thomson Electrak XD brochure | Up to 100% duty cycle, 45% at full load | All models are rated to 45% at full load and 25 C, with higher duty possible at lower load or lower ambient temperature. | A headline 100% statement is not a blanket permission slip for worst-case operation. |
| Thomson PC Series precision actuators | Continuous-operation zone | The brochure defines a continuous-operation zone where 100% duty is allowed and an intermittent zone controlled by RMS load. | Continuous duty should be read from the operating envelope, not assumed from a product label alone. |
| LINAK LA36 product page | B10 values based on 20% duty at room temperature | LINAK states that LA36 B10 values are based on long-time testing at room temperature and with 20% duty cycle. | Published life figures and 100% duty claims are not interchangeable evidence. |
| Tolomatic electric rod actuators | 100% duty cycle and 24 x 7 reliability | Tolomatic positions its electric rod actuator families as 100% duty-cycle platforms for high-duty applications. | True continuous-duty electric options do exist, but they sit in a more industrial class than low-cost brushed actuators. |
| Tolomatic IMA manual | Continuous region defined by RMS thrust and velocity | Application RMS thrust and velocity must stay inside the actuator system continuous-duty region, and winding temperatures approaching 100 C reduce expected life. | Industrial continuous-duty platforms still require application math and thermal discipline. |
| Tolomatic RSX catalog | 100% duty-cycle hydraulic-class actuator | The current RSX catalog lists forces up to 66,000 lbf (294 kN) with a 100% duty-cycle design target. | At the high-force end, continuous-duty electric actuators are usually premium, application-engineered products. |
- Defines S1 continuous running duty as operation at constant load until thermal equilibrium is reached.
- Notes that continuous running duty is assumed for motor operation if duty type is not otherwise indicated.
- Publishes a 10% duty cycle reference: 2 minutes on and 18 minutes off.
- Useful as a baseline for compact DC actuator expectations.
- Shows 20%, 15%, and 10% duty windows depending on stroke length.
- States full performance from +5 C to +40 C, with reduced performance outside that zone.
- Markets duty cycle up to 100%, but also states 45% at full load and 25 C.
- Explains that lower load or lower ambient temperature can raise usable duty.
- Defines a continuous-operation zone where 100% duty cycle is allowed.
- Uses RMS load logic for intermittent operation outside that zone.
- Explains that B10 life is a statistical estimate for 90% of actuators.
- States the published B10 values are based on room-temperature testing at 20% duty cycle.
- Positions the portfolio as 100% duty cycle capable.
- Calls out 24 x 7 reliability for high-duty applications and highlights IP69K options for harsh washdown work.
- Requires RMS thrust and velocity to remain within the actuator system continuous-duty region.
- Warns that winding temperatures approaching 100 C reduce expected life.
- Lists forces up to 66,000 lbf (294 kN).
- Frames RSX as a 100% duty-cycle, rugged-service actuator for hydraulic replacement work.
Compare and choose
Which path matches your duty profile
A single answer is rarely correct for every process. Use the mode switch and the comparison table to decide whether you are still shopping a low-duty DC actuator or stepping into a different product class.
- Ask for the operating envelope at your actual load, stroke, and ambient temperature.
- If the vendor publishes life data, check whether it was generated at lower duty or room-temperature conditions.
- Brushless motors, ball screws, and roller screws are common signals of the right product class.
- Request confirmation of thermal monitoring, overload protection, and life assumptions.
| Option | Typical duty window | Force and control | Watchouts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commodity 12 V or 24 V DC actuator | Often 10% to 25% in published examples | Good for simple extend-retract motion at moderate force | Thermal cooldown is mandatory, and stroke length plus ambient temperature can reduce usable duty further | Hatches, access panels, and low-frequency positioning |
| Continuous-duty electric rod actuator | Up to 100% when operated inside the rated envelope | Precise and clean with better motion control | Higher upfront cost, quote-led sizing, and duty claims that still depend on thermal or RMS limits | Packaging, industrial automation, and high-uptime machinery |
| Hydraulic-class electric actuator | Continuous service for high-force applications | Strong force density with electric positioning benefits | Large, expensive, and highly application-specific | Replacing hydraulic cylinders in cleaner or smarter systems |
| Hydraulic cylinder | Very strong for harsh high-force cycles | Excellent force capability, less clean and less simple | Leaks, maintenance burden, and infrastructure cost | Severe-duty force applications with shock loading |
Adjusted duty lands near continuous-service territory.
Treat this as a continuous-duty electric or hydraulic-class selection problem, not a commodity DC actuator purchase.
Nominal duty is low and daily active hours stay small.
An intermittent-duty actuator can still fit if ingress protection and current draw are validated.
Duty percentage is not 100%, but the thermal profile is still aggressive.
Use a brushless continuous-duty platform and request the supplier's duty envelope at process speed.
Force and temperature make standard electric catalogs risky.
Compare hydraulic-class electric actuators such as RSX-style platforms against existing hydraulic cylinders.
Risks and limits
Failure modes that matter before release
This section exists to prevent the page from becoming a hype sheet. The goal is to make the cost, reliability, and scenario-fit trade-offs explicit.
| Risk | Impact | Warning sign | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treating 100% duty as unconditional | Overheating, nuisance trips, or shortened life | Supplier quote omits load, speed, or ambient assumptions | Request the duty curve or full-load duty rating in writing. |
| Ignoring ambient temperature | Safe duty margin collapses in enclosed or hot environments | Application sits near ovens, outdoors in summer, or inside sealed cabinets | Apply a temperature derating and verify with the vendor. |
| Sizing only from static load | Motor current and thermal load exceed expectation during motion | Acceleration, side load, or friction is not quantified | Use dynamic load, stroke, speed, and cycle data in the RFQ. |
| Missing process-level uptime needs | Catalog fit looks fine but plant uptime still suffers | Daily run hours and maintenance windows are undefined | Screen both per-cycle duty and total active hours per day. |
| Reading motor-duty language as whole-actuator proof | The screw, brake, bearings, seals, or controller becomes the weak link | The quote references S1 or continuous motor duty but omits the actuator assembly envelope | Validate the complete actuator operating envelope, not only the motor label. |
| Using published life numbers as a 100% duty guarantee | Expected life is overstated and maintenance windows slip | Cycle-life or B10 values are quoted without duty-cycle or temperature test basis | Ask how the life number was generated and whether the same duty profile applies to your job. |
Dynamic load and peak load
Stroke length and speed target
Ambient temperature and enclosure condition
Mounting orientation, side load, and guide arrangement
Daily active hours and maintenance window
Whether motion is reciprocating, holding, or one-way
A published full-load duty ratio or continuous-duty curve
Reference ambient temperature for the rating
Whether the rating applies to the full actuator assembly
Thermal protection behavior or monitoring notes
Life assumptions for the target motion profile
Test basis for any published B10 or cycle-life number
FAQ
Questions that come up in sourcing and design reviews
Search the list below if you need to defend a specification choice, explain the alias merge, or brief a buyer who only saw the words 100 percent duty cycle.
If the duty review starts from a 1000 lb 110v linear actuator request, screen the voltage question there first, then bring the real starts-per-hour profile back into this continuous-duty page.
Request sizing supportRe-run the checker