Motors on IndustryNet

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In today’s day and age it is impossible for one to disregard the use of a motor. They are used everywhere by everyone – in generators, certain light fixtures, and of course in vehicles. It is especially popular in the industrial sector where heavy loaded equipment is started by the use of a motor.

Knowing how a motor works will advance the way a person thinks of one, and more importantly, it will change the way you approach motors when buying one. There are many different types of motors, so it is of cardinal importance that you choose the one that is right for whatever you are working on.

What are motors made of?

There are two different types of motors that can be used - the direct-current (DC) motor, or the alternating (AC) current. The physical appearance of the motor does not change; the difference lies in the current of the motor when it is connected. The parts of a motor are as follows:

The stator: each motor has a stator which can either be a permanent magnet, or insulated wires that are wound up. It provides housing for these coils and is responsible for creating a magnetic field.

The rotor: the rotor usually sits in the middle of the motor and is dependent on the magnetic field created by the stator. The rotor will rotate as its poles are attracted and repelled by the poles of the stator. This part is also called the armature.

The coils: these are the wires that are wound up inside the stator. The wires used in coils must be insulated at all times. Copper is the most common material used for these wires, but aluminium may also be used, but they are usually a bit thicker and make for bigger motors. These coils are also called the winding.

The strength of a motor: this is determined by the voltage and length of the wires found in the stator. The longer the wires are, the stronger the motor will be.

How does a motor work?

Different types of motors work in different ways. Here the focus will be on the two main types: AC and DC motors.

DC Motors: when the motor is hooked up to a power source or battery a direct current flows through it, creating a temporary magnetic field. The temporary field repels the original field from the stator, causing the wire to flip over, which makes the motor turn. By using a commutator one can reverse the current each time the wires flip, allowing the motor to only turn in one way.

AC Motors: when the power source is connected to this motor, the power is sent to the outer coils instead of the inner coils. This will then cause an electric current inside the rotor itself. The induced current then produces its own magnetic field, and the system will try to work against it, in an attempt to stop whatever is causing it by rotating as well. This process then makes the motor turn.

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