SECTION III

Power and Machine

Aim:
To measure the input and output of a DC motor

Apparatus:
1. A Motor
2. A Multimeter
3. Rechargeable battery
4. Wire

Procedure:
1. A motor was obtained.
2. The general structure of a motor was sketched.
3. The input and output of a motor was measured.
Sketch of Motor
Observations
The input of the battery was measured to be 6.3V DC and the output was measured to be
3.5V.

Relevant Theory
A motor consists of an electromagnet called the rotor or armature which is located in
between two other magnets called stators. When an electric current flows through the
armature an electromagnet is formed, and rotational force is created because the
electromagnet reorients its position to suit the polarity of the stators. This rotation of the
armature turns an axle which operates its respective devices. Voltage output of a DC motor is
not equal to the input because of factors such as friction and electrical resistance. This will
reduce the motor output, making it less than the input. The efficiency of a motor can be
increased when more current induced conductors or coils are added to the winding.

Questions:
a) What is the purpose of a motor?
The purpose of a motor is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motors are
devices that generate motion and can be found in a wide range of applications from
household appliances to industrial machinery, automobiles, and more.

b) What is the operating principle of the motor?

A motor consists of an electromagnet called the rotor or armature which is located in
between two other magnets called stators. When an electric current flows through the
armature an electromagnet is formed, and rotational force is created because the
electromagnet reorients its position to suit the polarity of the stators. This rotation of the
armature turns an axle which operates its respective devices. This rotational motion can
be harnessed and used to power various mechanical devices, ranging from household
appliances to industrial machinery, making motors essential for countless applications in
our daily lives.

c) What if there is a fault in one of the windings of a motor?

If there is a fault in one of the windings of a motor, it can significantly impact the
motor's performance and efficiency. The winding in a motor refers to the coils of wire
wrapped around its core between the magnetic field. If one of these windings becomes
faulty due to factors such as wear and tear, overheating, or electrical issues, it can lead to
imbalances in the magnetic fields within the motor. This will require the other windings
to do more work which can cause them to damage or burn or increase the required input
making it less efficient. In some cases, a fault in the windings can cause the motor to stop
working altogether. Detecting and repairing winding faults is crucial, as continued
 operation of the motor in a faulty state can cause further damage and potentially lead to a
complete motor failure, necessitating costly repairs or replacements.

Conclusion
It can be concluded that the input of the DC motor used is 6.3V and the output was
found to be 3.5V. The efficiency of the motor can be affected by the number of coils or
armatures in the rotor.

References:

Halls, M. (2011). Basic Electricity and Electronics: A Complete Course for CSEC, Vol. 1. La
Romaine, Trinidad: Caribbean Educational Publishers.