Types of DC Motors

About DC Motors:

Types of DC Motors

Types of DC Motors

There are actually several different types of DC motors that have specific advantages and disadvantages to each other. The four main types of DC motors are described below - brushless, brushed, shunt and series.

Brushless DC motors

Brushless DC motors are also known as electronically commutated motors, or synchronous DC motors, and differ to the brushed motor, thanks to the development of solid state electronics.

The key differences between brushless DC motors and other varieties is that they do not have a commutator, which is replaced by an electronic servomechanism that is able to detect and adjust the angle of the rotor.

The brushless DC motor has several advantages. Commutators use soft contacts called ‘brushes’ which wear down over time. A brushless DC motor is therefore more durable, and also safer than the more classical design.

Brushed DC motors

The brushed DC motor is the original DC motor, dating back to Sprague’s initial design. As we have discussed already in this guide, the classic brushed motor features a commutator, to reverse the current every half cycle and create single direction torque.

While brushed DC motors remain popular for electrical propulsion, cranes, paper machines, and steel rolling mills, many have been phased out for the more efficient brushless model in recent years.

Shunt DC motors

A DC shunt motor is a variety of brushed motor that has the field windings connected in parallel with the armature. Shunt wound DC motors have a lower current because of the parallel windings.

A shunt motor is used for applications that require a constant torque, where the load is not significantly altered by speed, such as conveyor belts, mixers and hoists.

The specific field windings provide unique shunt motor characteristics that make it such an effective choice for constant torque applications. The Parvalux Shunt Brushed DC Motor shown on the left features constant speed characteristics, with the small difference between no-load and full load speed the main benefit of this type of motor.

Series DC motors

Series wound DC motors are the final variety of brushed motors in this guide. The key difference between this variety and the shunt motors discussed previously is that field windings are connected in a series. This means that the entire armature current passes to the field winding, creating much faster speeds.

As the supply voltage can’t be adjusted, series DC motors can’t regulate their speed particularly well.

While this is a problem for some applications, it makes them particularly useful for tasks that require high starting torque, such as power tools and sewing machines.

The specific characteristics of DC series motors offers a clear and distinct purpose. The Aulhaber Brushed DC Geared motor is a good example of the benefits of series wound motors, having high starting torque that is ideal for appliances.

Where to buy DC motor

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