Did you know that William Sturgeon was the first to build an electric motor in 1832? If you are looking to learn more about motors, we are here to share everything there is to know about a DC motor. Even though this is one of the oldest electrical motor designs they are still regularly used in the industry.
Keep reading to learn more about DC motor basics.
What Is a DC Motor?
DC stands for direct current and this is a type of electric machine that has the ability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. These motors take electrical power through direct current and they convert it into a mechanical rotation.
A DC motor uses magnetic fields that come from the electrical currents that are generated. Then, those fields power the movement of a rotor within the output shaft. The speed and the output torque will all depend on the design of the motor and the electrical input.
How Do They Work?
The two main components of DC motors include an armature and a stator. The armature rotates and the stator is the stationary part of the motor. In the case of a DC motor, the stator gives a rotating magnetic field that then drives the armature to rotate.
Simple DC motors use a stationary set of magnets in the stator along with a coil of wire with a current that generates an electromagnetic field. The field is then aligned with the center of the coil. There are insulated wires wrapped around the motor’s core that help concentrate the magnetic field.
The insulated wires have windings that are connected to a rotary electrical switch that applies an electrical current. The electrical switch or the commutator lets each armature coil receive energy which creates a steady rotating force called torque.
The coils are turned off and on in sequence and a rotating magnetic field is created to interact with the different fields of the agents in the stator. This is how the DC motor is able to rotate. There are also different types of braking in a DC motor.
Where Are DC Motors Used?
There are so many places where DC motors are applied in the real world that you might not be aware of. For example, DC motors are used in fans and these fans are becoming a lot more popular than the traditional AC motors in fans because they are a lot more economical when it comes to electricity.
DC motors are also being used in electric cars because they are durable and they are energy efficient as well. A lot of hobbyists prefer large DC motors because they have variable speeds with voltage input.
Feeling Like a DC Motor Pro?
We hope that now that you know the ins and outs of a DC motor, we have answered all of your questions.
Did our article come in handy today? Please continue to browse the rest of this section for some more helpful articles.
