Different Types of Electric Motors and Their Purposes

An electric motor is an electric machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Typically, an electric machine implements mechanical work by consuming the energy applied to it, which is converted into rotational motion. There are also linear motors in the technology that can immediately create the translational movement of the working body.

Table of Contents

Design features and principle of operation

No matter what the design, but the device of any electric motors of the same type. The rotor and stator are located inside the cylindrical groove. The rotation of the rotor is excited by a magnetic field that repels its poles from the stator (fixed winding). Constant repulsion can be maintained by reconnecting the rotor windings, or by forming a rotating magnetic field directly in the stator. The first method is inherent in collector electric motors, and the second is asynchronous three-phase.

The body of any electric motors is usually cast iron or made of an aluminum alloy. The same type of engines, despite the design of the body, is made with the same installation dimensions and electrical parameters.

The operation of the electric motor is based on the principles of electromagnetic induction. Magnetic and electrical energy creates an electromotive force in a closed circuit that conducts current. This property is embedded in the operation of any electric machine.

A moving electric current in the middle of a magnetic field is constantly affected by a mechanical force that is rapidly trying to deflect the direction of charges in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force. During the passage of electric current through a metal conductor or coil, mechanical force strives to move or deploy the entire winding and each current conductor.

Purpose and use of electric motors

Electric machines have many functions, and they can amplify the power of electrical signals, convert the voltage or alternating current to direct, etc. To perform these different actions, there are various types of electric machines. An engine is a type of electric machine designed to convert energy. Namely, this type of device converts electricity into motive power or mechanical work.

It is in great demand in many industries. They are widely used in industry, on machines for various purposes and in other installations. In mechanical engineering, for example, earthmoving, hoisting machines. They are also common in the areas of the national economy and household appliances.

Motor classification

An electric motor is a type of electric machine for:

The specifics of the generated torque:

hysteretic;
magnetoelectric.

Mounting structure:

with a horizontal shaft;
with vertical shaft placement.

Protect from environmental actions:

protected;
closed;
flameproof.

In hysteresis devices, torque is generated by magnetization reversal of the rotor or hysteresis (saturation). These engines are little exploited in industry and are not considered traditional. Demanded are magnetoelectric motors. There are many modifications to these engines.

They are divided into large groups according to the type of flowing current:

Direct current.
Alternating current.
Universal engines (work on direct alternating current).

Features of magneto electric DC motors

Using DC motors create adjustable electric drives with high operational and dynamic performance.

Types of electric motors:

With electromagnets.
With permanent magnets.

The group of electric motors powered by direct current is divided into subspecies:

Collector

In these electrical appliances, there is a brush-collector assembly that provides electrical connection to the fixed and rotating parts of the engine. Devices come with self-excitation and independent excitation from permanent magnets and electromagnets.

The following types of self-excitation of engines are distinguished:

parallel;
sequential;
mixed.

Collector devices have several disadvantages:

low reliability of devices;
The brush-collector assembly is a rather difficult part of the magnetoelectric motor to maintain.

Brushless

These are closed-loop engines that operate on the same principle as synchronous devices — equipped with a rotor position sensor, coordinate converter, as well as an inverter with a power semiconductor converter.

These machines are available in various sizes from the smallest low-voltage to huge sizes (mainly up to megawatts). Miniature electric motors are equipped with computers, telephones, toys, cordless power tools, etc.

Application, pros and cons of DC motors

DC electric machines are used in various fields. They complete hoisting-and-transport, color-finishing production machines, as well as polymer, paper production equipment, etc. Often an electric motor of this type is built into drilling rigs, auxiliary units of excavators and other types of electric vehicles.

The advantages of electric motors

Ease of control and speed regulation.
The simplicity of design.
Excellent starting properties.
Compactness.
Ability to operate in different modes (motor and generator).

Cons of engines

Collector motors require difficult preventative maintenance of brush collector assemblies.
The high cost of production.
Collector devices have a short service life due to wear of the collector itself.

AC electric motor

In AC electric motors, the electric current is described by a sinusoidal harmonic law, periodically changing its sign (direction).

The stator of these devices is made of ferromagnetic plates having grooves for accommodating winding turns in them with a coil configuration.

Electric motors by the principle of work are synchronous and asynchronous. Their main difference is that the speed of the magneto-driving force of the stator in synchronous devices is equal to the speed of rotation of the rotor, and in asynchronous motors, these speeds do not coincide. Usually, the rotor rotates slower than the field.

Synchronous electric motor

Due to the same (synchronous) rotation of the rotor with a magnetic field, the devices are called synchronous motors. They are divided into subspecies:

Reactive.
Step by step.
Reactive hysteresis.
With permanent magnets.
With field windings.
Valve jet.
Hybrid jet synchronous motor.

Most computer equipment is equipped with stepper motors. The energy conversion in these devices is based on the discrete angular movement of the rotor. The stepper motor has high productivity, independent of their meager sizes.

Advantages of synchronous motors

The stability of the rotational speed, which does not depend on mechanical loads on the shaft.
Low sensitivity to power surges.
They can act as a power generator.
Reduce the power consumption provided by power plants.

Disadvantages in synchronous devices

Difficulties with launching.
The complexity of the design.
Difficulty in adjusting the speed.

The disadvantages of a synchronous motor make an asynchronous electric motor more advantageous for use. However, due to their constant speed operation, most synchronous motors are in demand for installations in compressors, generators, pumps, as well as large fans and other equipment.

Asynchronous electric motor

The stator of induction motors is a distributed two-phase, three-phase, rarely multiphase winding. The rotor is made in the form of a cylinder using copper, aluminum or metal. In its grooves are poured or pressed conductive conductors to the axis of rotation at a certain angle. They are joined together at the ends of the rotor. A countercurrent is excited in the rotor from an alternating magnetic field of the stator.

By design features, two types of induction motors are distinguished:

With a phase rotor.
Squirrel cage rotor.

Otherwise, the design of the devices has no differences, and their stator is the same. By the number of windings, these motors are distinguished:

Different types according to windings

Single-phase. This type of engine does not start on its own, and it needs a start push. For this, a starting winding or phase-shifting circuit is used. Also, devices are started manually.
Biphasic. In these devices, there are two windings with phase-shifted phases. A rotating magnetic field arises in the device, the intensity of which increases at the poles of one winding and simultaneously drops to another.
A two-phase electric motor can start independently, but there are difficulties with reverse. Often this type of device is connected to single-phase networks, including the second phase through a capacitor.
Three-phase. The advantage of these types of electric motors is the easy reverse. The main parts of the engine are a stator with three windings and a rotor. Allows you to adjust the speed of the rotor smoothly. These devices are quite in demand in industry and technology.
Multiphase. These devices consist of an integrated multiphase winding in the grooves of the stator on its inner surface. These engines guarantee high reliability during operation and are considered advanced engine models.

Asynchronous electric motors

Asynchronous electric motors greatly facilitate the work of people, so they are indispensable in many areas.

The advantages of these devices, which played a role in their popularity, are the following points:

Ease of production.
High reliability.
Do not need converters to connect to the network.
Low operating costs.

To all this, you can add the relative cost of asynchronous devices. But they also have disadvantages:

Low power factor.
Difficulty in fine-tuning the speed.
A small starting moment.
Dependence on mains voltage.

Conclusion

Thanks to the power supply of the electric motor using a frequency converter, some of the disadvantages of the devices are eliminated. Therefore, the need for asynchronous motors does not fall. They are used in drives of various machine tools in the areas of metalworking, woodworking, etc. Weaving, sewing, digging, hoisting, and other types of machines need them, as well as fans, pumps, centrifuges, various power tools and household appliances. Learn more about the different types of electric motors and their uses.