Common Types of Electric Motors

Electric motor use is very common, even if one doesn’t necessary overtly notice their use. With the increase in prevalence of electric motor use in everyday life, one should become more aware of the various types and utilizations of electric motors. The following should help give you a general understanding of the three most common types of electric motors.

There are three primary types of electric motors: AC (alternating current), DC (direct current), and lastly, universal motors. Alternating current motors will not work when direct currents are supplied, and likewise, direct current motors are not compatible and aren’t functional with alternating currents. Universal motors are a jack-of-all-trades type of motor, allowing for the use of either AC or DC currents.

AC motors can be broken down and further categorized into two types: single phase and three phase. Single phase is more common to homeowners, as it has more of a residential use. Three phase motors are often found in more industrial settings, finding work most often in factories.

DC motors are categorized by either being brushed, brushless, or stepper motors. Due to being the easiest to build and most financially reasonable, brushed motors are the most common of the direct current motors. Brushed motors do come with one flaw: the carbon brushes used will eventually wear out, needing to be replaced for functioning to resume. This is where brushless motors are an improvement over brushed motors. Although eliminating the brushes in the motor causes it to last longer, brushless motors are typically more expensive.

Stepper motors are a more advanced form of a brushless motor. Stepper motors are commonly found in automation systems, like robotics. Stepper motors derive their name form the ability of motor’s rotation to be “stepped” by a control system.

Universal motors, or series-wound motors, are very prevalent among household items. Washing machines, hair dryers, and portable power tools. Universal motor operate at very high speeds, but are also able to have a controlled speed. They also use extremely fast initial torque speeds.

There are other and more specific types of electric motors out there, but AC, DC, and Universal motors are the most common types. They serve as a good introductory to more advanced motors, and should be studied as the basis for all other motors.