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7.6 Notes
7.6 Notes
6 – ELECTRIC MOTOR
A turning effect can be produced by passing a current through a coil which is in a magnetic
field. This is the principle behind common type of electric motor.
If a current carrying coil is placed in a magnetic field (As shown in diagram above), a
pair of forces will be produced on the coil. This is due to the interaction of the magnetic
field of the permanent magnet and the magnetic field of the current carrying coil.
• When there is a current in the coil, the magnets exert a turning effect on the coil,
causing it to rotate
• The force supplied by a motor can be increased by:
o Increasing the current in the coil
o Increasing the strength of the magnetic field
o Adding more turns to the coil
• The commutator:
o Reverses the direction of the current in the coil every half turn
o This reverses the direction of the forces, which keeps the coil spinning.
Practical Motors
Practical motors give a much improved performance for the following reasons:
o Several coils may be used,each set at different angle and connected to its own
pair of commutator.
o The pole pieces are curved.
o Each coil consists of hundred of turns of wire and its wound on a soft iron core
called an armature.
o The field provided by electromagnet rather than permanent magnet.So the
motor will operate with A.C. supply.
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