8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

Physics (/physics/) > Current Electricity (/physics/current-electricity/) > DC Motor (/physics/dc-motor/)

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DC Motor

A DC motor is an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. In a DC
motor, the input electrical energy is the direct current which is transformed into the mechanical
rotation. In this session, let us know what is a DC motor, types of DC motor and their applications.

Table of Contents:

What is a DC Motor?

DC Motor Diagram

Different Parts of a DC Motor

Armature or Rotor

Field Coil or Stator

Commutator and Brushes

DC Motor Working

Types of DC Motor

Self Excited DC Motor

Separately Excited DC Motor

Brushed DC Motor vs Brushless DC Motor

Applications of DC Motor

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

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A DC motor is defined as a class of electrical motors that convert direct current electrical energy into
mechanical energy.
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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

From the above definition, we can conclude that any electric motor that is operated using direct current
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or DCWorth
is called a DC motor. We will understand the DC motor construction and how a DC motor converts
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DC Motor Diagram
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Different Parts of a DC Motor

A DC motor is composed of the following main parts::

Armature or Rotor
The armature of a DC motor is a cylinder of magnetic laminations that are insulated from one another.
The armature is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. The armature is a rotating part that rotates on
its axis and is separated from the field coil by an air gap.

Field Coil or Stator

A DC motor field coil is a non-moving part on which winding is wound to produce a magnetic field
(https://byjus.com/physics/magnetic-field/). This electro-magnet has a cylindrical cavity between its
poles.

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Commutator
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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

The commutator of a DC motor is a cylindrical structure that is made of copper segments stacked
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together but insulated from each other using mica. The primary function of a commutator is to supply
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electrical current to the armature winding.

Brushes
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The brushes of a DC motor are made with graphite and carbon structure. These brushes conduct
electric current from the external circuit to the rotating commutator. Hence, we come to understand
that the commutator and the brush unit are concerned with transmitting the power from the static
electrical circuit to the mechanically rotating region or the rotor.

DC Motor Working
In the previous section, we discussed the various components of a DC motor. Now, using this knowledge
let us understand the working of DC motors.

A magnetic field arises in the air gap when the field coil of the DC motor is energised. The created
magnetic field is in the direction of the radii of the armature. The magnetic field enters the armature
from the North pole side of the field coil and “exits” the armature from the field coil’s South pole side.

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The conductors located on the other pole are subjected to a force of the same intensity but in the
opposite direction. These two opposing forces create a torque (https://byjus.com/physics/torque/) that
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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

3 Freeprinciple
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of DC motor
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When kept in a magnetic field, a current-carrying conductor gains torque and develops a tendency
to move. In short, when electric fields and magnetic fields interact, a mechanical force arises. This is
the principle on which the DC motors work.
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Similar Reading

DC Generator (https://byjus.com/physics/dc-generator/)

AC Generator (https://byjus.com/physics/ac-generator/)

Universal Motor (https://byjus.com/physics/universal-motor/)

Types of DC motor
DC motors have a wide range of applications ranging from electric shavers to automobiles. To cater to
this wide range of applications, they are classified into different types based on the field winding
connections to the armature as:

Self Excited DC Motor

Separately Excited DC Motor

Now, let us discuss the various types of DC Motors in detail.

Self Excited DC Motor

In self-excited DC motors, the field winding is connected either in series or parallel to the armature
winding. Based on this, the self-excited DC motor can further be classified as:

Shunt wound DC motor

Series wound DC motor

Compound wound DC motor

Shunt wound DC motor

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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

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In a shunt wound motor, the field winding is connected parallel to the armature as shown in the figure.

Series wound DC motor

In a series wound DC motor, the field winding is connected in series with the armature winding as
shown in the figure.

Compound wound DC motor

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DC motors having both shunt and series field winding is known as Compound DC motor, as shown in
the figure. The compound motor is further divided into:

Cumulative Compound Motor

Differential Compound Motor

In a cumulative compound motor, the magnetic flux produced by both the windings is in the same
direction. In a differential compound motor, the flux produced by the series field windings is opposite to
the flux produced by the shunt field winding.

Separately Excited DC Motor

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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

In a separately excited DC motor, the field coils are energised from an external source of DC supply as
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shown in the figure.
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Brushed DC Motor vs Brushless DC Motor

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A brushless DC motor, also known as synchronous DC motor, unlike brushed DC motors, do not have a
commutator. The commutator in a brushless DC motor is replaced by an electronic servomechanism
that can detect and adjust the angle of the rotor.

A brushed DC motor features a commutator that reverses the current every half cycle and creates
single direction torque. While brushed DC motors remain popular, many have been phased out for
more efficient brushless models in recent years.

Applications of DC Motor
The applications of different types of DC motors are listed below:

Shunt DC Motors

Owing to the fairly constant speed and medium starting torque of shunt DC motors, they are used in the
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1. Centrifugal and reciprocating pumps

Play2. Lathe machines

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4. Drilling machines
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5. Milling machines
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Series DC Motors

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Owing to the high starting torque and variable speed of series DC motors, they are used in the following
applications:

Conveyors

Hoists, Elevators

Cranes

Electric Locomotives

Cumulative Compound DC motors

Owing to the high starting torque of cumulative compound DC motors, they are used in the following
applications:

Shears

Heavy Planers

Rolling mills

Elevators

Frequently Asked Questions on DC Motor

Q1 Can a DC motor run on AC?

Yes, the DC series motor runs on single-phase AC supply. This is because the torque, which varies
as the product of the armature and field current, is always positive. Thus, a positive average torque
causes the motor to rotate.

Q2 What is a Universal motor?

A universal motor is a special type of motor that can run on either DC or single-phase AC supply.

Q3 When is a DC motor preferred over an AC motor?

When precise control is needed, DC motors offer a wide range of possibilities concerning
speed control. Due to this reason, industrial machinery that requires high precision works with
DC motors.

DC motors offer excellent response characteristics when starting, Hi

stopping
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their spin direction.

The energy stored in the batteries of electric vehicles is in the form of DC. Hence, DC motors
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8/30/23, 3:43 PM DC Motor - Definition, Working, Types, and FAQs

Q4 When was the DC motor invented?

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William Sturgeon
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Q5 Why are DC ceiling fans better?

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DC motor fans use 70% less energy than a standard AC fan.

DC motor fans are less noisy.

DC motor fans have more speed options than an AC motor fan.

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Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

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