The document provides an introduction to electric drives. It discusses that drives are used for motion control and require prime movers, with electric drives using electric motors as prime movers. About 50% of electrical energy is used for drives, which can be fixed or variable speed. Modern electric drives use power electronic converters to be small, efficient, and flexible compared to conventional drives. Electric drives have components like motors, power sources, power processors, control units, and sensors. AC and DC drives are overviewed and the use of different motor types in drives is explained.