What is an electric motor? An electric motor is a type of device that produces mechanical energy from electrical energy. These devices are widely used in various industries to transform electrical energy into useful mechanical energy. An electric motor can be broadly classified into three types based on the principle on which they operate: AC motor, DC motor, and universal motor.
Electric motors are rotational output engines that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. It does this by simply reversing the current to produce torque when switching direction in the magnetic fields of the stator and the rotor. The working of an electric motor is very simple and can be explained in several easy steps so let’s get started!
What is an electric motor and how does it work?
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. This is done by simply reversing the current to produce torque when switching direction in the magnetic fields of the stator and the rotor. The stator, or the fixed part of the motor, is made up of several poles.
Each pole is made up of several coils that are wound in opposite directions and are connected to a wire to produce a magnetic field. The rotor, or the moving part of the motor, has a core that is made up of several permanent magnets. When current is passed through the coils in the stator, it generates a magnetic field that attracts the permanent magnets of the rotor. This causes the rotor to spin.
The speed at which the rotor spins is determined by the strength of the current that is passed through the coils. Normally, the direction of the current flow is determined by the position of the switch on the motor.
When the switch is flipped from one position to another, the current flow is also reversed. This causes the flow of the magnetic field to change direction and, hence, the direction of the rotor rotation.
How does an AC motor work?
An AC motor converts alternating current into useful energy. An AC motor is one of the three types of motors based on the principle of operation. The other two types of motors are DC motors and universal motors. An AC motor is also known as a synchronous motor.
The AC motor is used where a reliable, continuous supply of power is needed. The AC motor is used in industries such as textile, food processing, paper, and others. The AC motor has two advantages over a DC motor. It is more economical as it uses less current as compared to a DC motor.
The other advantage is that it can be easily regulated by varying the frequency of the current. An AC motor has four main parts. These are the rotor, the stator, the flywheel, and the commutator. The rotor is made up of a few parallel bars made up of steel laminations. The stator is made up of two parts.
How does a DC motor work?
The DC motor is also known as an induction motor. The DC motor is used where there is a need for a motor that requires less current as compared to an AC motor. The DC motor is also used where there is a need for a motor that can be easily stopped. The DC motor has two advantages over the AC motor.
It is less expensive than the AC motor. The other advantage is that it can be easily stopped by turning off the current. The parts of a DC motor are similar to those of an AC motor. The only difference is that the squirrel cage of a DC motor does not have iron laminations.
How does a Universal Motor Work?
A universal motor can be used as either a DC or an AC motor. The only difference is in the connections of the coils. A universal motor is less efficient as compared to a DC or an AC motor.
The universal motor can be used where there is a need for a motor that can easily be started and stopped by turning off the current. The parts of a universal motor are similar to those of an AC motor. The only difference is that the field magnet of a universal motor does not have iron laminations.
Making a Decision
At this point, you have a solid general knowledge of what electric motors are and how they work. Here is a quick refresher. An electric motor is a rotational output engine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. It does this by simply reversing the current to produce torque when switching direction in the magnetic fields of the stator and the rotor.
A DC motor uses direct current, an AC motor uses alternating current and a universal motor can be used either way. Understanding how an electric motor works can help you make better decisions about the motors that you use and when to use them.
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