Overview
KA chain drives are commercial electric window drives used to open and close compatible awning windows, casement windows, façade windows, roof windows and selected high-level windows. They are best positioned where a project requires more force, a longer stroke or a more robust commercial chain drive than VCD or CDC.
The KA range includes 24 V DC, 230 V AC, PLP, BSY+ and ACB-capable options, depending on the selected model family. This allows the drive to be selected around the window load, required stroke, power supply, control panel, synchronisation requirements and project wiring strategy.
KA drives can be used for natural ventilation and smoke control systems when selected with a suitable controller, field cabling, bracket arrangement and project-specific operating strategy. EBSA NZ can assist with selecting the correct KA model, control panel, synchronisation method, bracket set and wiring approach for the project.
At-a-glance
| Product type | Commercial electric chain drive |
|---|---|
| Product range | D+H KA Series |
| Models covered | KA 34, KA 54, KA-BSY+, KA-1-ACB, KA-K, KA-K-BSY+, KA 66-TW and KA 66-TW-K variants |
| Typical use | Commercial natural ventilation, general window automation and smoke control applications |
| Window applications | Compatible awning windows, casement windows, façade windows, roof windows and selected high-level windows |
| Power / control options | 24 V DC, 230 V AC, PLP, BSY+ and ACB-capable options depending on model |
| Force | 300 N pressure force / 300 N tensile force for KA 34 variants; 500 N pressure force / 500 N tensile force for KA 54 variants; 600 N pressure force / 600 N tensile force for KA 66-TW variants |
| Stroke options | 350 mm to 1000 mm for listed KA 34 / KA 54 variants; 350 mm to 800 mm for listed KA 66-TW variants, subject to selected model and pressure load review |
| Sound level | LpA ≤ 70 dB(A) |
| Protection rating | IP 32 |
| Fire resistance | B300, subject to the selected model and complete system design |
| Controller requirement | Requires a compatible controller, field cabling, suitable switching or sensor inputs and project-specific commissioning |
| Manufacturer | D+H Mechatronic |
Models in the KA range
| Model / drive type | Power / technology | Stroke | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA 34 | 24 V DC PLP | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 1000 |
| KA 34-BSY+ | 24 V DC BSY+ | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 1000 |
| KA 34-K | 230 V AC | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| KA 34-K-BSY+ | 230 V AC BSY+ | Selected KA 34-K-BSY+ stroke options | KA 34-K-BSY+ |
| KA 54 | 24 V DC PLP | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 1000 |
| KA 54-BSY+ | 24 V DC BSY+ | Selected KA 54 BSY+ stroke options | KA 54-BSY+ |
| KA 54-K | 230 V AC | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 |
| KA 54-K-BSY+ | 230 V AC BSY+ | Selected KA 54-K-BSY+ stroke options | KA 54-K-BSY+ |
| KA-0300-1-ACB | 24 V DC ACB | Selected 300 N KA stroke options | KA-0300-1-ACB |
| KA-0500-1-ACB | 24 V DC ACB | Selected 500 N KA stroke options | KA-0500-1-ACB |
KA drives are generally selected where the window is outside the preferred CDC range, where increased force is required, or where a commercial smoke control or synchronised drive arrangement is needed. The correct model should be selected against the window type, opening geometry, stroke requirement, power supply, controller, bracket arrangement, field cabling and project operating strategy.
KA-TW twin-chain options
KA-TW drives use two drive chains for applications where the sash arrangement benefits from two chain points and increased force distribution. They should be selected separately from standard single-chain KA drives.
| Model / drive type | Power / technology | Stroke | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| KA 66-TW | 24 V DC twin-chain | 350 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 800 mm | 350 | 500 | 600 | 800 |
| KA 66-TW-K | 230 V AC twin-chain | Selected KA 66-TW-K stroke options | KA 66-TW-K |
Where the window is too heavy, requires longer stroke, or needs higher chain drive force than the KA range can provide, EBSA NZ will normally review CDM, CDP or rack and pinion drive options.
Downloads
Download the relevant installation information for the selected KA model. Some instruction documents are shared across multiple model or stroke variants rather than being model-specific, so confirm the correct document against the selected drive type, stroke, power supply and control technology before installation.
| Drive type | Applies to | Installation instructions |
|---|---|---|
| KA 34 / KA 54 | 24 V DC KA 34 and KA 54 standard PLP models | KA 34 / KA 54 PLP instructions |
| KA 34 / KA 54-BSY+ | 24 V DC KA 34 and KA 54 BSY+ models | KA 34 / KA 54 BSY+ instructions |
| KA 34 / KA 54-K | 230 V AC KA 34-K and KA 54-K models | KA 34 / KA 54-K instructions |
| KA-1-ACB | 24 V DC ACB KA models | KA-1-ACB instructions |
| KA 66-TW | 24 V DC KA 66-TW twin-chain models | KA 66-TW instructions |
| KA 66-TW-K | 230 V AC KA 66-TW-K twin-chain models | KA 66-TW-K instructions |
Best suited to
- Commercial façade windows requiring higher force than VCD or CDC drives can provide.
- Commercial natural ventilation systems using compatible window openings.
- Smoke control systems where the KA drive, control panel, window and project strategy are suitable.
- High-level awning, casement, façade and roof windows with increased stroke or force requirements.
- Projects requiring BSY+ synchronisation between multiple drives.
- Projects requiring 230 V AC drive arrangements for suitable commercial applications.
- Applications where a robust commercial chain drive is required before moving to CDM, CDP or rack and pinion drive options.
Typical system arrangement
A KA chain drive does not operate on its own. It requires a compatible controller, field cabling, suitable switching or sensor inputs, and project-specific wiring and commissioning to achieve the required open and close operation.
For EBSA NZ projects, the KA drive should be selected together with the control panel, wiring strategy, smoke control or natural ventilation requirements, bracket arrangement, synchronisation requirements and commissioning approach.
Drive and controller selection
The functionality of a KA chain drive system is determined by the selected drive, controller, field cabling and programmed control strategy. The drive provides the mechanical opening and closing movement, while the controller determines how the window operates.
BSY+ KA models should be selected where synchronised operation is required, such as applications with multiple drives on one sash or where controlled group movement is needed. ACB-capable KA models should be selected where the control architecture can use ACB communication for compatible digital communication, addressing and feedback.
ACB functionality only provides its full benefit where the selected control architecture supports ACB communication. If an ACB-capable drive is connected to a conventional controller that does not use ACB communication, the additional digital communication features are not utilised.
For smoke control applications, the drive must be selected as part of the complete system, including the window, control panel, fire interface, field cabling, power supply, installation, commissioning and project approval pathway.
Selection and specification notes
- Confirm the window type, sash size, sash weight, required opening distance and opening angle before selecting a KA chain drive.
- Confirm whether the application is for natural ventilation, smoke control, general window automation or a combined strategy.
- Confirm whether a 24 V DC or 230 V AC KA option is required.
- Confirm whether PLP, BSY+ or ACB functionality is required and whether the selected controller can support it.
- Confirm the required stroke, force, voltage and current draw for the selected KA model.
- Confirm whether a single-chain or twin-chain KA arrangement is required.
- Confirm whether pressure load review is required for the selected stroke and window arrangement.
- Confirm the number of drives per window, the number of windows per control group and the available control panel capacity.
- Confirm bracket requirements, cable routes, cable tail requirements and access for servicing before window fabrication or installation.
- For smoke control projects, confirm the fire strategy, smoke control panel, fire interface, cable requirements, commissioning process and approval pathway.
- EBSA NZ has its own Masterspec work section/code and can prepare project-specific specification content for inclusion in the project documentation. This can cover the selected drive family, control panel, operating strategy, interfaces, field cabling and commissioning requirements.
Compatible products
KA chain drives are normally selected as part of a complete window automation, natural ventilation or smoke control package. Depending on the project, they may be used with:
- Compatible natural ventilation control panels.
- D+H smoke control panels, where suitable for the project design.
- CPS-M project control panels where ACB functionality, system feedback or advanced control logic is required.
- Wall switches and local control points.
- Room temperature controls.
- Rain and weather sensors, where supported by the selected controller.
- BMS or third-party interfaces, where specified.
- Suitable D+H bracket sets.
- Compatible awning, casement, façade, roof and high-level window systems.
Part of the EBSA NZ chain drive range
KA chain drives are part of EBSA NZ’s wider D+H Mechatronic chain drive range. They sit above VCD and CDC where the project requires higher force, longer stroke options, BSY+ synchronisation, 230 V AC options or a more robust commercial smoke control drive arrangement.
Where quiet operation is the main priority and the window is within the force and stroke range, EBSA NZ will normally review CDC first. Where the application requires very high force, larger skylights, heavier sashes or a more compact high-force drive arrangement, EBSA NZ can review CDM, CDP or rack and pinion drive options as part of the project selection process.
Consider instead
- VCD Chain Drives: consider for simple residential and light commercial natural ventilation applications where a compact ventilation drive is sufficient.
- CDC Chain Drives: consider where whisper-quiet operation, compact installation or ACB-capable functionality is required and the window is within the CDC force and stroke range.
- CDM Chain Drives: consider for very heavy windows or skylights requiring up to 1000 N force and up to 1000 mm stroke in a compact footprint.
- CDP Chain Drives: consider for the heaviest chain drive applications or where strokes of up to 1500 mm are required.
- Rack and Pinion Drives: consider where the window load, opening geometry or external application is better suited to rack and pinion operation.
- Louvre Drives: consider where the opening is an operable louvre system rather than an awning, casement, skylight or roof window sash.
Talk to EBSA NZ about KA chain drive selection
Correct KA drive selection depends on the window type, opening geometry, required stroke, control method, bracket arrangement, field wiring, smoke control or ventilation strategy and project requirements. EBSA NZ can assist with reviewing the KA model, controller, accessories and coordination requirements before products are selected.
