The classification of electrical drives can be done depending upon the various components of the drive system.

Now According to the design, the drives can be classified into three types:

1. Single-motor drive:

In individual drive a single electric motor is used to drive one individual machine. Example of such a drive are single-spindle drilling machines, various types of electrical hand tools and simple type of metal working machine tools and mechanisms.

The single motor types are the very basic type of drive which is mainly used in simple metal working, house hold appliances etc.

2. Group motor drive:

By group drive is meant a drive which a single electric motor drives a line shaft by means of which an entire group of working machines may be operated.

It is also sometimes called the line shaft drive. Group electric drives are used in modern industries because of various complexities.

3. Multi motor drive:

It consists of several individual drives each of which serves to operate one of many working members or mechanism in some production unit.

For example, in traveling cranes, there are three motors: one for hoisting, another for long travel motion and the third for cross travel motors.

If we divide from another point of view, these drives are of two types:
1. Reversible type
2. Non reversible type

This depends mainly on the capability of the drive system to alter the direction of the flux generated.