Electric motors can be found in many of our day-to-day appliances, as well as in large industrial operations but what is their purpose and how do they work? Parvalux electric motors power industries across the globe, from conveyor systems and automatic doors to train wiper systems and even amusement arcade machines. In this blog, we discuss how electric motors components work and the uses of an electric motor in various industries.

How do electric motors work?

In basic terms, electric motors work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. When this happens within a magnetic field, a force is generated which causes shaft rotation. Electric motors can be powered by alternating current or direct current forces, hence AC and DC motors.

What are the key electric motor components?

Depending on their use and the type of current running through an electric motor, each has different components to make the motor function. Here are some of the key parts of a motor:

• Rotor – The rotor is a coil mounted on an axle and it provides the rotational mechanical energy. It spins at high speed and can include conductors that carry current and interact with the magnetic field in the stator
• Stator – This acts in the opposite way to a rotor in that it is a stationary part of the electromagnetic circuit. It is made up of permanent magnets or windings and is often built with thin metal sheets called laminations, which can help to reduce energy loss. These are primarily found in brushed DC motors
• Commutator – This part is a very important component in DC motors because without it, the rotor would not be able to spin continuously. The commutator is a half ring in the electric motor, usually made from copper and it allows the rotor to spin by reversing the current each time the rotor turns 180 degrees

It is important to remember that these parts work differently depending on whether they are brushed or brushless motors. In a brushless DC motor, the permanent magnets are fitted to the rotor and electromagnets are on the stator.

What are electric motors used for?

Electric motors are used across industries for a variety of reasons, primarily because of their longer lifespan, in comparison with say, fossil fuel engines because they require less maintenance and they offer a greener alternative.

AC motors can be found in conveyor systems, typically found within factories and warehouses because they can ensure stable and constant delivery. Another example of their use is within air conditioning systems. As AC motors are brushless, they are inherently reliable and therefore require very little maintenance.

A DC motor can handle the movement of heavier loads and will function well in a variety of conditions, therefore they are found in mission-critical applications, such as train wiper systems because of their reliability and strength. These types of motors can also be found in smaller appliances such as vacuum cleaners and like all motors they can be adapted to suit the requirements of the application.

Learn more about Parvalux electric motors by getting in touch here: Your local contact – Parvalux