Selecting appropriate electric motors for your applications can be as easy as one, two, three — provided that you approach the process with an understanding of what will get you where you want to go.
There are a handful of significant factors to consider in selecting any motor, including your needs for speed, torque and precision, as well as environment potential size restrictions and cost.
In considering environment, for instance, you’ll need to account for the levels of air flow, dirt, dust and moisture within the motor’s vicinity, in addition to the type of climate in which it will most often be operated.
Keep in mind that an investment in research time pays for itself tenfold, as the selection of an electric motorinappropriate for certain applications can wreak all kinds of havoc on your endeavors —application failure being chief among potential pitfalls.
Differences Between AC and DC Electric Motors
AC/DC may be one heck of a rock band, but when it comes to electric motors, the combinations have distinct differences and don’t go together quite so well.
Driven by direct current, DC electric motors generally spin more than 15,000 revolutions per minute, or PRMs, and need to be adjusted to maintain the speed that is appropriate the application. DC electric motors can be powered with rechargeable batteries and used to drive anything from small toys to beefy industrial machinery.
Unlike DC electric motors, AC motors are driven by alternating current and must be driven by special connections, which eliminates the handy use of batteries. Typically used for everything fromcommon household appliances to a wide range of machine and power tools, AC motors can turn up just about anywhere.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of DC Electric Motors
On the plus side, DC motors are on the small side, are cost-effective, and are equipped with relatively simple controls. They can also be started and stopped quite rapidly, and enable the user to enjoy a fairly expansive range of speed and torque management.
On the other hand, DC motors tend to be imprecise and, even when used in consistent operating environments, can vary unpredictably in speed. Other disadvantages include poor performance caused by exposure to dust, heat, or the bearing of excessive load, as well as the necessity for a significant amount of consistent maintenance.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of AC Electric Motors
The benefits of AC motors include a long lifespan, lower productions of heat and friction, and a lighter overall motor. Additionally, AC motors offer higher starting torque, as well as simpler and more cost-effective maintenance.
On the downside, controlling speed with AC motors is a greater challenge, components used to communicate with the motors tend to be more complex, and AC motors also tend to be noisier. In reference specifically to induction AC motors, rotation slips and more likely to occur and starting switches and required.
Be sure to seek Professioanl Assistance in determining the ideal motor for you, as experts with hands-on experience are able to provide the unbeatable practical guidance.
