Electric Motors Industry Information

Electric motors supply the speed and torque in a drive system. Electric motors change electric energy into movement using magnetism with most using only one type of current. This is not true for universal motors, which operate using either alternating current or direct current. Using the combination of electric energy and magnetic current means no fuel is needed to run the motor, as found with many engines. Electric motors are used in many applications and many industries instead of fuel engines because they are cleaner and less expensive to run. Electric motors are also a good alternative to fuel engines in many cases because they release no exhaust or emission, which solves a health hazard.

The telecommunications, food, medical and manufacturing industries all use electric motors for various purposes. Electric motor manufacturers produce electric motors for fans, clocks, power locks and windows, electric can openers and electric toys. Automobiles are an example of a machine that utilizes several electric motors for proper function. The starter motor gets the gas engine moving. Electric motors are used to move the wiper blades and windows as well.

Electric motor manufacturers use enclosure, rotor, axle, coil and field magnet as the main components for electric motors. Not all electric motors contain brushes, which help conduct current. When electric motors are brushless, an external power supply is used to get the current transferred. Because of their lack of brushes, brushless electric motors are actually more expensive. They tend to last longer due to lack of sparking issues commonly associated with the existence of brushes.

The two main types of electric motors are AC and DC. While these are very wide categories, the basic difference between the two is the direction the current flows through the engine itself. They both use magnets to create the motion necessary for power generation. The magnets react with the current, which flows through specific points of the motor and causes rotation. This rotational movement is the source of power which is transferred into the equipment in need of the power. Examples of specific AC and DC motor types are servo, induction and gear motors. The size range and power capacity can differ tremendously depending on what specific types of electric motors are used.

Since the uses for electric motors grow everyday, electric motor manufacturers create a wide variety of choices and types of electric motors. Weight, size, power source, torque and cost are all variables that are unique to the type of electric motor desired. In many cases custom electric motors can be designed to specification. When selecting electric motors, take into consideration the size of the space where the electric motors will have to fit, the requirements for power input and motion output, the desired speed of the motion to be produced, the type of current to be used and the overall cost limits. Most manufacturers of electric motors have a wide range of capabilities to meet your needs.