Physics

Motors and Generators

Michael Small and ken
Maliberan
Dot point 1.f
http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/physi
cs/core/motors/2578/phy931.ht
ml#net10
 Question
• Describe the main features of a DC
electric motor and the role of each
feature.
 External (one of the following is used)

Part Description Role of the part

Pair of permanent
 Magnets on opposite The magnets supply


magnets in a simple side of the motor with the magnetic field

motor opposite poles facing which interacts in the



each other, the pole armature to produce

faces are curved to fit. the motor effect. The




pole face makes




magnetic field

 uniformly radial
Pair of
Each coil is wound where the coil passes.
electromagnetic coils on a soft iron core


Each pair of stator

in a complex motor attached to the casing
of the motor and the coils produces a
coils are shaped to fit magnetic field similar
around the motor. to that provided by a
pair of permanent
 Other parts used.
Armature The armature consists The armature carries
of a cylinder of the rotor coils. The
laminated iron iron core greatly
mounted on an axle. concentrates the
Often there are external magnetic
longitudinal grooves field, increasing the
into which the coils torque on the
are wound. armature. The
Rotor coil(s) There may be only The laminations reduce
coils provide
eddy currents
one, in a very simple torque, which
as the current
motor, or several might
passingotherwise
through the
coils, usually of overheat
coils the with
interacts
several turns of armature.
the magnetic field. As
insulated wire, wound the coils are mounted
onto the armature. firmly on the rotor,
The ends of the coils any torque acting on
 Cont.
Split-ring The commutator is a The commutator
commutator broad ring of metal provides points of
mounted on the axle contact between the
at one end of the rotor coils and the
armature, and cut into external electric
an even number of circuit. It serves to
separate bars (two in reverse the direction
a simple motor). Each of current flow in
opposite pair of bars each coil every half-
is connected to one revolution of the
coil. motor. This ensures
that the torque on
each coil is always in
the same direction.
 Cont
Brushes Compressed carbon The brushes are the
Axle blocks, connected
A cylindrical bar ofto fixed position
The axle provides a
the external
hardened circuit, centre
steel electrical contactsfor
of rotation
mounted on opposite
passing through the between
the movingtheparts
external
of
sides
centreofofthe
the armature circuit and Useful
the motor. the rotor
commutator
and and
the commutator. coils. can
work Their
beposition
extracted
spring-loaded to make brings
from thethem intovia a
motor
close contact with the pulley
contactorwith
cogboth
commutator bars. ends of each
mounted coilaxle.
on the
simultaneously, as
each coil is positioned
at right angles to the
field, to maximize
torque.