The Perfect Pair: Direct Drive Motors and the Promax+ Control Panel

When it comes to industrial doors, reliability is only part of the equation. Installers and specifiers also need fast commissioning, clear diagnostics, and the flexibility to adapt to different door types and site requirements. That’s where pairing Ellard’s Direct Drive motor range with the Promax+ Industrial Door Control Panel really comes into its own. 

Designed to work seamlessly together, Direct Drive motors and the Promax+ create a robust, reliable and easy-to-use solution for roller shutters, sectional doors, and other industrial applications. 

Why choose a Direct Drive & Promax+ setup? 

Direct Drive motors remove the need for complex gear reductions, delivering smooth torque directly to the shaft. When combined with the Promax+, installers benefit from: 

• Faster installation and commissioning 

• Precise digital limit setting 

• Clear on-board fault diagnostics 

• Easy integration of safety and access devices 

• A solution that scales from lighter-duty doors through to heavy industrial applications 

• Multiple plug-in accessory options 

  
  

Whether you’re working on a new install or a retrofit, this pairing simplifies setup while enhancing long-term reliability. 

Ellard Direct Drive range at a glance

Ellard’s Direct Drive motors cover a vast range of torque requirements, making it easy to match the motor to the door size and usage profile. 

Key Features Across the DDO Range: 

• Torque options from 140Nm up to 2000Nm 

• Speeds up to 24rpm for fast-acting solutions 

• Anti-drop protection as standard 

• Single and Three-Phase options 

• Inverter options for smooth stop-and-start operations 

• IP54-rated protection for industrial environments 

• Bore diameters from 30mm to 55mm to suit common shaft sizes 

This range allows installers to confidently specify a motor that meets both mechanical and digital limit-setting requirements. 

The Promax+ Advantage 

The Promax+ is our premium industrial door control panel, designed specifically to make installation, setup, and ongoing maintenance easier. 

Digital Limit Setting

Set open and close positions at low-level directly from the control panel. No climbing ladders, no manual fine-tuning, just accurate limit setting, first time, every time.  

Customisable Digital Display 

With the added feature of personalisation, you can add your company’s details to appear on the front of the panel, leaving your brand’s personal touch and letting users know who to contact for future work. 

Built-in Fault Diagnostics 

Downtime is reduced thanks to instant fault code readouts. Problems are identified quickly, helping engineers fix issues faster. 

Fully Integrated Plug-in System 

Unlike other solutions that require external add-ins, for example, needing extra modules, the Promax+ is a true plug-and-play solution. It hosts native plug-in ports, meaning there’s no need for external expansion housing, resulting in cleaner installations and reduced time in wiring during the installation process. 

Wide Range of Safety Inputs 

The Promax+ supports all major safety types in combination, including: 

• 8K2 Safety  

• Optical Safety  

• Light Curtains 

• Photocell Input (reflective/ send & receive) 

Comprehensive Plug-in Expansion Options 

The Promax+ provides functionality to use the largest number of plug-in modules amongst all other control panels in the industrial door market. This includes: 

• Multi-channel radio module 

• Traffic light module 

• Loop detector module 

• Wireless safety edge module 

  
  

Universal Encoder Flexibility 

The Promax+ is one of the only panels compatible with both major encoder systems, the Kostal and the Elektromaten. 

Giving the installer maximum freedom with motors and retrofit installs. 

Reliable operation in the hardest conditions 

Operating at temperatures down to -20°C, the Promax+ is suitable for most locations across the UK and EU. 

Power and Compatibility 

The Promax+ supports both 400Vac three-phase and 230Vac single-phase supplies, covering the full Ellard Direct Drive range. With motor power ratings up to 2.2kW, it’s well-suited to demanding industrial applications. 

Additional features include: 

• Volt-free outputs for door open/close status 

• Adjustable auto-close timing (3–180 seconds) 

• 230Vac output for auxiliary equipment (neutral required) 

  
  

A complete control solution

 

By pairing Direct Drive motors with the Promax+, installers gain more than just automation; they gain control, clarity, and confidence. 

From digital limit setting and clear diagnostics to expandable safety and access control, this combination is designed to make installations smoother today and maintenance easier tomorrow. 

One motor range. One intelligent control panel. One complete industrial door solution. Ready to place an order? Get in touch at sales@ellard.co.uk