Types of Electric Motors, What Is Brushed DC Motor, Its Working, and Applications
Tags: electricmotors, brusheddcmotors, electricalprojects, dcmotors
Published: 2023-02-28 10:32:03

Electric motors are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, and they are widely used in electronics. They are commonly used as actuators to control the movement of mechanical components in electronic devices. For example, electric motors may be used to control the movement of robotic arms or to adjust the focus of a camera lens.

Additionally, [electric motors](https://www.electrical4u.com/electrical-motor-types-classification-and-history-of-motor/) are used to power fans and blowers in electronic devices, such as computer servers, to cool the devices and prevent overheating. They are also used to spin the disks in hard disk drives and other storage devices, allowing data to be read and written. 

Many power tools, such as drills and saws, use electric motors to provide the power needed to operate the tool. Plus, electric vehicles, such as electric cars and bikes, use electric motors to power the vehicle. Electric motors are an important component of many electronic devices and systems, and they play a vital role in converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.

**Types of Electric Motors**

The following are the different types of electric motors:
 
**1: DC motors**

These motors operate on direct current (DC) and are powered by a DC power source. They are commonly used in applications such as electric vehicles and power tools.
 
**2: AC motors**

These motors operate on alternating current (AC) and are powered by an AC power source. They are commonly used in applications such as pumps, fans, and conveyor belts.
 
**3: Stepper motors**

Stepper motors are designed to rotate in precise increments, and they are commonly used in applications such as printers and 3D printers.

**4: Synchronous motors**

These motors run at a specific frequency, and they are commonly used in applications such as pumps and fans.
 
**5: Induction motors**

Induction motors run by inducing a current in a secondary coil, and they are commonly used in applications such as pumps and fans.

**Types of DC Motors**

Brushed DC motors and brushless DC motors are two types of DC motors that differ in the way that they transmit electrical current to the rotor.

**1: Brushed DC Motors**

[Brushed DC motors](https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2020/12/brushed-dc-motor.html) have a set of carbon brushes that make contact with the rotor, transmitting electrical current and causing the rotor to rotate. These motors are simple and inexpensive, but they have a limited lifespan due to the wear on the brushes.

**2: Brushless DC Motors**

Brushless DC motors, on the other hand, do not contain brushes. Instead, they use an electronic controller to transmit electrical current to the rotor, causing it to rotate. These motors are more efficient and have a longer lifespan than brushed DC motors, but they are more complex and more expensive.

**Working of Brushed DC Motors**

A brushed DC motor consists of a stator, which is a stationary part that contains the field windings, and a rotor, which is a rotating part that contains the armature windings.

When a DC voltage is applied to the field windings, it creates a magnetic field around the stator. As the rotor rotates, it cuts through this magnetic field, which causes a current to be induced in the armature windings. This current, in turn, creates a magnetic field around the rotor, which interacts with the magnetic field of the stator and causes the rotor to rotate.
 
To control the speed and direction of the motor, the applied DC voltage can be varied. For example, increasing the voltage will increase the speed of the motor, while reversing the polarity of the voltage will reverse the direction of the motor.

A set of carbon brushes makes contact with the rotor, transmitting electrical current to the armature windings and causing the rotor to rotate. The brushes wear over time and must be replaced periodically to ensure the proper operation of the motor.

The working of a brushed DC motor involves the interaction of [magnetic fields](https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/magnetic-forces-and-magnetic-fields/magnetic-field-current-carrying-wire/a/what-are-magnetic-fields) between the stator and the rotor, which causes the rotor to rotate. The applied DC voltage and the carbon brushes are used to control the speed and direction of the motor.

**Applications of Brushed DC Motors**

Brushed DC motors are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including:

1: Brushed DC motors are often used in electric vehicles, such as electric cars and electric bikes, due to their high torque and low speed.

2: Many power tools, such as drills and saws, use brushed DC motors to provide the power needed to operate the tool.

3: These motors are employed to power fans and blowers in electronic devices, such as computer servers, to cool the devices and prevent overheating.

4: These motors are commonly used as actuators to control the movement of mechanical components in electronic devices.

5: They are often incorporated into toys and hobbies, such as remote-controlled cars and planes.

6:  These motors are used in a wide range of industrial equipment, such as conveyor belts and hoists.