Electric Motors banner

DC Motors

A reliable source for Electric Motor information and leading Electric Motor Companies & Manufacturers.

A direct current (DC) motor is an electrical machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy by creating a magnetic field powered by a direct current. Read More…

DC Motors Direct current (DC) motors have current flowing in only one direction. DC motors provide adjustable speed and torque and contain a rotor and permanent magnetic field stator.
Request For Quote

Leading Manufacturers

Stratham, NH  |  844-338-8114

We manufacture motors, motion control and rotating products for OEMs. The electric motors obtainable through us include AC motors, AC/DC motors, brushless DC motors, stepper motors.

Request A Quote

ElectroCraft, Inc. $$$

Monroe, WI  |  608-325-9161

Since our inception in 1932, Carter Motor manufactures AC universal motors, small motors, DC universal motors, DC permanent magnet motors, DC shunt wound motors and gearmotors, and many others. All of our products are designed and assembled here in the USA. Our team is here to help you determine the best motor to fit your application and to ensure the process is efficient and stress-free. We are...

Request A Quote

Carter Motor Company $$$

Brooksville, FL  |  352-799-2599

The products of Composite Motors, Inc. all undergo the same AS9100 certified design, manufacture and testing protocol. These products include Brushless DC motors, motor drivers, Lithium Ion batteries and Battery Management Systems, gear motors and linear actuators. All products are made in the USA from raw materials. Visit our website to learn more and to view our newest products.

Request A Quote

Composite Motors, Inc. $$$

Elma, NY  |  716-652-2000

We began over fifty years ago designing and supplying aircraft and missile components. Over the last fifty years we have grown into the company we are today manufacturing custom fractional horsepower motors and other motors for our customers around the world. We were established in 1951 and ever since then we have been offering excellent customer service that the competition cannot match! We want ...

Request A Quote

Moog Inc. $$$

Addison, IL  |  630-628-8080

Addison Electric, Inc., which originally opened its doors in 1980, began as a company focused on the needs of the customer. Since then, little has changed in that respect. Commitment to the customer has been one of the main driving forces of our company. Believing in top notch support and a desire to stock the items you need has led our company to be one of the largest and most reliable in our...

Request A Quote

Addison Electric, Inc. $$$

Racine, WI  |  262-632-2794

Welcome to Motor Specialty! Since 1947, we have been designing and manufacturing custom universal motors for machine tool, medical, dental, agricultural and a number of other industries. We are also capable of providing dependable shunt wound fractional and integral horsepower motors. Our motors may be enclosed or open, with reversible rotation and internal or external brush structures. At...

Request A Quote

Motor Specialty Inc. $$$
placeholder image ElectroCraft, Inc. Carter Motor Company Composite Motors, Inc. Moog Inc. Addison Electric, Inc. Motor Specialty Inc.

What is a DC Motor?

When the DC motor is powered, a magnetic field is created in the stator. The magnetic field attracts and repels magnets on the rotor, which results in the rotor's rotation. For the rotor's continuous rotation, the commutator attached to brushes connected to the power source supplies current to the wire winding of the direct current motor. DC motors are preferred for industrial machinery because of their ability to control their speed with higher precision.

DC Motor Diagram

How DC Motors Function

DC motors work based on the idea that mechanical force is produced when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field. The direction of this result can be determined using the left-hand rule. Using a variable supply voltage or changing the strength of the current in the motor's windings, we can control the contained speed over a wide range. For bigger areas of use, alternating current (AC) is changed into DC because a DC motor's torque and speed characteristics are superior to an AC motor.

Types of DC Motors

DC motors can be differentiated by the connections between the field winding and the armature. This field winding can be connected parallel to the armature or inserted in a series manner. In some cases, the connection is both. The DC motors can also be differentiated by how the rotor is powered, as they can be brushed or brushless.

Brushed DC Motor

In brushed DC motors, the current is applied by brushes, and the magnetic field is produced by the current sent through the commutator and brushes connected to the rotor. The brushes are made of carbon, which can be separately excited or self-excited. The contained stator is the enclosure that contains the part of the motor and the magnetic field.

Brushed DC Motor

The winding of the coil on the rotor can be in a series or parallel to form either a shunt wound DC motor or a series wound DC motor. The commutator is the electrical switch that reverses the current between the rotor and the external power source. This method applies electrical current to the windings and produces a steady, rotating torque by reversing the direction of the current.

Brushless DC Motor

This type of motor contains a permanent magnet rotor and a coil wound stator. Because of this DC motor design, there is no need for brushes. The advantage of a brushless DC motor is the removal of tear and wear of the brushes since very little heat will result from the rotating magnet. Brushless DC motors are more expensive because of their efficiency.

Brushless DC Motor

Separately Excited DC Motor

In this type of DC motor, the contained motor has separate electrical supplies for the armature winding and field winding, which are electrically separate from each other. The functions of the armature current and the field current do not interfere with each other, but the input power is their total sum.

Separately Excited DC Motor

Permanent Magnet DC Motor

This DC motor contains an armature winding but does not contain a field winding. Instead, it has a permanent magnet mounted on the stator core's inner surface to produce the magnetic field. The armature is regular, and it consists of a commutator and brushes. The permanent magnet DC motor is smaller in size and is less expensive. In their operation, they use rare earth magnets such as samarium cobalt.

Permanent Magnet DC Motor

Applications and Uses of DC Motors

DC motors are used in diesel-electric locomotives. The electrical energy converted by a generator in the diesel-electric locomotive from rotational energy is supplied to DC motors connected to the wheels on the engine. In use in cranes, it is ideal for the motor to have the ability to hold a full zero speed where mechanical brakes may not be needed. In electric vehicles, brushed DC motors retract and position electrically powered windows. DC motors are used in pumps because they have variable speed control, high starting torque, good transient response, and a simple control system.

Choosing the Right Brushless Motor Supplier

For the most positive outcome when purchasing a brushless motor from a brushless motor supplier, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of brushless motor suppliers. Each brushless motor supplier has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the supplier for more information or request a quote. Review each brushless motor company website using our proprietary website previewer for an understanding of what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple brushless motor companies with the same form.

DC Motors Informational Video

 

Electric Motor Power Pages

AC Motors

AC Motors

An AC motor is an electric motor that uses alternating current to produce mechanical energy using magnetism blended with alternating current. The structure of an AC motor includes coils that produce a rotating...

DC Motors

DC Motors

A DC motor or direct current motor is an electrical machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy by creating a magnetic field that is powered by direct current. When a DC motor is powered, a magnetic field is created...

Electric Motors

Electric Motors

An electric motor is an electric machine that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. Most electric motors work via the interaction of the motor magnetic field and electrical current in a wound wire to...

Power Transmission Equipment

Featured Industries