What is a DC motor? - features and mechanisms

This page focuses on DC motors, which are electric motors driven by direct current (DC). Two features that distinguish DC motors from AC motors and stepper motors are their high starting torque and ability to run at high speed.

Generally, an electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, and uses the electricity generated to produce rotational motion and thereby to do work. DC motors are used in a wide variety of different devices and appliances that play a part in our lives.

Behavior of a brushed DC motor

It is no exaggeration to say that DC motors are being used all around us in our daily lives. They are used in many different ways and take on many different forms. Examples from your home might include air conditioners, refrigerators, and water heaters. At work, DC motors will likely be used in your office's audiovisual projectors or inside the ATMs used by banks. Use of the motors extends well beyond these examples, encompassing home appliances, especially air ventilation systems, and also cars and medical devices.

DC motors are produced in huge volumes and, as a source of noise and a means of achieving energy efficiency, they play a very important role both in determining living conditions and in the global environment.

Types of electric motors

The many different types of electronic motors can be broadly grouped into the following three categories based on their internal design and how they work.

Two features that distinguish DC motors from the other two types are their high starting torque and ability to run at high speed.

DC motors can be divided into brushed and brushless DC motors

DC motors are divided into two categories depending upon whether or not they use brushes and commutators.

Brushed DC motors work by direct connection to a source of DC electric power. Brushless DC motors, in contrast, require a drive circuit and work by supplying the appropriate current through static windings based on the detected orientation of the magnetic poles of the rotor.

Brushed DC motors

Brushed DC motors can be broadly divided into the following two types depending on whether they use permanent or electro-magnets.

Brushless DC motors

Because their windings remain static, brushless DC motors do not require brushes and a commutator. They are divided into the following types based on how the permanent magnets are attached to the rotor.

Brushed DC motors are currently the most commonly used because they are easy to miniaturize and provide good control of rotation together with high efficiency.
Brushless DC motors, on the other hand, benefit from long life, ease of maintenance, and low noise because they do not have the brushes and commutators, which are the downsides of brushed DC motors.

Features of brushed DC motors

Features of brushless DC motors

Of DC motors, ASPINA suppplies brushless DC motors. We do not only develop standalone brushless DC motors, but also system products that incorporate drive and control systems as well as mechanical design. These are backed by comprehensive support that extends from prototyping to commercial production and after-sales service.
ASPINA can offer solutions that are tailored to suit the functions and performance demanded by a diverse range of industries, applications, and customer products, as well as your particular production arrangements.

ASPINA supports not only customers who already know their requirements or specifications, but also those who are facing problems at early stages of development.Do you struggle with the following concerns?

Seeking answers to these problems? Contact ASPINA, we’re here to help.