Electro Suspended Magnets for Magnetic Separation of Ore: A Practical Guide

2026-10-15

If you run a crushing plant, a conveyor line, or a mineral processing site, you already know the nightmare of tramp iron. A stray bolt, a broken shovel tooth, or a piece of rebar hiding in the material can smash your crusher, slice your belt, and shut down production for hours. That is why electro suspended magnets have become the go-to solution for magnetic separation of ore in mines, power plants, steel mills, and recycling facilities around the world. In this guide, we will walk you through how these over-belt magnets work, where they fit best, and how to choose the right one for your operation.

What Are Electro Suspended Magnets?

Electro suspended magnets are over-belt magnetic separators that hang above conveyors and pull ferrous tramp metal out of the moving material. Each unit combines an electromagnet body with a driving motor, a drum, and a scraper belt. When the coil is energized, the magnet creates a strong field that reaches deep into the material bed. Tramp iron is lifted and held against the magnet face, then the moving scraper belt carries it into a collection box. No stopping, no manual picking — the job is done automatically.

Because these magnets run on electricity, you can adjust the magnetic strength to match your job. Turn the field up for thick material layers or heavy contamination, and dial it down for cleaner feed. That flexibility is exactly why electro suspended magnets are a favorite for tough, round-the-clock operations.

How Electro Suspended Magnets Power Magnetic Separation of Ore

Here is where things get interesting for mineral processors. Magnetic separation of ore is not just about catching the odd piece of scrap. In many plants, the ore itself is magnetic or weakly magnetic, so the separator must pull out harmful iron without dragging the valuable ore along with it.

That is why electro suspended magnets are often paired with a metal detector. When the detector senses incoming iron, it sends a signal to the control cabinet, and the magnet fires with a short, powerful excitation. The tramp iron is lifted instantly, then the unit switches to a holding field so it does not keep sucking up ore. For magnetic ore, special models are available with a main magnet system plus an auxiliary magnet system and a dedicated discharge belt. Suspended over the conveyor by four lifting lugs, these units deliver cleaner results with far less valuable ore lost in the process.

How Electro Suspended Magnets Power Magnetic Separation of Ore

Magnetic Separation of Ore: Common Problems You Can Fix with Electro Suspended Magnets

Let us look at the real problems operators face every day, and how these units solve them:

Deep-buried iron. Thick material layers hide tramp metal completely. Units with high magnetic penetration depth can still lift iron from the bottom of the bed.
Belt and equipment damage. Sharp metal riding along the belt slices the conveyor and wrecks crushers and mills. Installed at the head or middle of the conveyor, electro suspended magnets catch the iron before it causes damage.
Costly downtime. Manual iron removal means stopping the line. Self-cleaning electro suspended magnets discharge iron automatically into a collection box, keeping production moving without manual cleaning by power cut.
Harsh environments. Dust, rain, and corrosion are everyday reality in mines. Fully sealed, resin-poured electro suspended magnets are dust-proof, rain-proof, and corrosion-resistant, so they keep working in tough conditions.

Where Electro Suspended Magnets Shine in Magnetic Separation of Ore

Electro suspended magnets are widely used in electric power, mining, metallurgy, building materials, coal washing, and chemical industries. For magnetic separation of ore, they deliver the most value in primary crushing circuits, above the main conveyor before the crusher, and at transfer points where tramp iron tends to pile up.

Installation is flexible, and getting it right makes a real difference:

Tilted installation (QX). For fast belts (over 2 m/s), install the magnet slightly away from the head pulley so the material's parabolic motion helps catch iron. For slower belts, move the magnet closer to the pulley and use a non-magnetic pulley.
Horizontal installation (SP). Install the magnet across the belt, with the magnet core vertically aligned with the belt center, above the conveyor, a hand-picking platform, or a vibrating screen. A non-magnetic idler below improves performance.
Rigging options. Three hanging methods — steel bars, chains, or wire ropes — let you match your site conditions. The frame has four lifting lugs, and the suspension height is adjustable.

FAQ: Electro Suspended Magnets and Magnetic Separation of Ore

Q: Do electro suspended magnets work when the ore itself is magnetic?
A: Yes. Special models designed for magnetic ore use a dual magnet system and controlled excitation, so they lift tramp iron without carrying away too much ore. For the best result in magnetic separation of ore, share your material details with us before selecting a unit.

Q: How much iron can one unit remove?
A: It depends on the model, belt width, and magnetic strength. Typical units handle everything from small nails to heavy steel blocks, and the scraper belt discharges the collected iron continuously.

Q: Can these magnets run outdoors?
A: Yes. They work indoors and outdoors. For outdoor use, add rain protection, and keep the environment within the rated range — temperature from -20°C to +40°C and altitude below 2000 m.

Why Choose Our Electro Suspended Magnets for Magnetic Separation of Ore

Our electro suspended magnets are manufactured under the ISO9001 quality system, with advanced magnetic circuit design, high magnetic penetration depth, and fully sealed construction for reliable performance in extreme conditions.

As an experienced manufacturer of magnetic separation equipment, we help customers around the world choose the right electro suspended magnets for their specific magnetic separation of ore needs — from mines and power plants to recycling and food processing lines. Send us your conveyor width, material layer thickness, and iron content, and we will recommend a solution that fits your budget and your site.