BRUSHLESS DC (BLDC) BASICS

how to read bldc curves EXPLANATION OF AXIS ORIENTATION

The graph below provides three main motor specifications that can help users determine whether or not this
BLDC motor is sufficient for the job. The left-side vertical Y-axis represents speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM). The speed increments and the title “Speed (RPM)” are blue, which corresponds to the blue curve on the
graph. The right-side vertical Y-axis represents Current in Amps. This axis is red, which corresponds to the red
line on the graph. The horizontal X-axis is for torque in ounce-inches (oz-in).
Notice how Speed and Torque are flipped when compared to Step Motor curves. The reason for this is to stay
consistent with general presumptions about graphs. In general, X-Y graphs show curves where power goes
up when moving to the right and upper corner. Below shows a simple comparison between DC motors and
Step Motors; by swapping Speed with Torque in each graph, both graphs can be well understood in the same
fashion.

DC MOTOR STEP MOTOR

Operating Range Operating Range
BL17B17-03 (BLDC Motor)
24VDC, 2.1 Amps, BL100 su
p
8000 6 Rated Torque at Rated Speed e
r go
Rated Torque at Rated Current we
7000 Po
5

Speed

Torque
6000 Limited Power up
4

Current (Amps)
5000
Speed (RPM)

4000 3

3000
2
2000
1
Torque Speed
1000 Desire Region: Low Speed with High Torque
Desire Region: High Speed with Low Torque
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Torque (oz-in) DC Motors work best when maximizing efficiency of the torque. Step Motors work best when maximizing
The two specifications that can be read from this graph are:
efficiency of the speed.
• Speed versus Torque
(Blue line)
• Current versus Torque MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY FOR BOTH STEPPERS AND BLDC MOTORS
(Red line)
The crucial factor to make most efficient are different in DC motors and Step motors. Looking at an efficiency
curve, one can further see the correlation for swapping the X and Y axes when comparing the two different
types of motors.
SPEED VS. TORQUE CURVE
DC Motor Step Motor
It is crucial to know how much torque this BLDC motor can output at different speeds. Typically, a user has
selected a certain speed range and can then understand the torque capabilities of a motor. This speed and
torque relationship is linear.

Efficiency
CURRENT VS. TORQUE CURVE

Efficiency
It is just as important to understand the relationship between how much torque the motor provides and how
much current is required by the motor. More torque naturally requires more current. It is also a linear rela-
tionship.

Torque Speed

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