How do motors spin

Electric motors use the forces produced by magnetic fields to produce a turning motion. If you put a length of wire in a magnetic field and pass a DC current through it such as from a battery , the wire will move. This is called the motor effect. To make a simple DC motor , you need:. This interplay of magnetic fields and moving charged particles the electrons in the current results in the torque depicted by the green arrows that makes the armature spin. Use the Flip Battery button to see what happens when the flow of current is reversed.

Take advantage of the Applet Speed slider and Pause button to visualize these forces better. A single, degree turn is all you would get out of this motor if it weren't for the split-ring commutator — the circular metal device split into halves shown here in red and blue that connects the armature to the circuit. Electricity flows from the positive terminal of the battery through the circuit, passes through a copper brush to the commutator, then to the armature.

But this flow is reversed midway through every full rotation, thanks to the two gaps in the commutator. There is a sliding contact between the commutator and the brush. This causes sparks and mechanical wear.

Direct Current motors have relatively short life expectancy because of this and the motor has high maintenance cost.

It also raises reliability concerns. Skip to content You Are Here:. DC motor, how it works? How a DC motor actually works. DC motor applications. Four types of Direct Current DC motors. Advantages and disadvantages of a DC motor. Direct Drive Motors by Magnetic Innovations. Ideal for applications in which a high positioning accuracy is needed. Click Here. Compact design with high stroke and force for your linear motion system. Small, low maintenance and low energy consumption.

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