DC Motor

A DC motor is any of a class of electrical machines that converts direct current electrical power
into mechanical power. The most common types rely on the forces produced by magnetic fields.
Nearly all types of DC motors have some internal mechanism, either electromechanical or
electronic, to periodically change the direction of current flow in part of the motor. Most types
produce rotary motion; a linear motor directly produces force and motion in a straight line.

DC motors were the first type widely used, since they could be powered from existing direct-
current lighting power distribution systems. A DC motor's speed can be controlled over a wide
range, using either a variable supply voltage or by changing the strength of current in its field
windings. Small DC motors are used in tools, toys, and appliances. The universal motor can
operate on direct current but is a lightweight motor used for portable power tools and appliances.
Larger DC motors are used in propulsion of electric vehicles, elevator and hoists, or in drives for
steel rolling mills. The advent of power electronics has made replacement of DC motors with AC
motors possible in many applications.

DC Motors convert electrical energy (voltage or power source) to mechanical energy (produce
rotational motion). They run on direct current. The Dc motor works on the principle of Lorentz
force which states that when a wire carrying current is placed in a region having magnetic field,
than the wire experiences a force. This Lorentz force provides a torque to the coil to rotate

A direct current, or DC, motor is the most common type of motor. DC motors normally have just
two leads, one positive and one negative. If you connect these two leads directly to a battery, the
motor will rotate. If you switch the leads, the motor will rotate in the opposite direction.

To control the direction of the spin of DC motor, without changing the way that the leads are
connected, you can use a circuit called an H-Bridge. An H bridge is an electronic circuit that
can drive the motor in both directions. H-bridges are used in many different applications, one of
the most common being to control motors in robots. It is called an H-bridge because it uses four
transistors connected in such a way that the schematic diagram looks like an "H." 

Pin Description

No: Pin Name Description

1 Terminal 1 A normal DC motor would have only two terminals. Since these terminals are
connected together only through a coil, they have not polarity. Revering the
connection will only reverse the direction of the motor

2 Terminal 2

Motor Specifications

Standard DC motor

Recommended/Rated Voltage: 12V

Current at No load: 60mA (max)

Shaft diameter: 6mm

Torque: 3Kg-cm

No-load Speed: 100 rpm

Loaded current: 300mA (Max),

Rated Load: 10g*cm

Motor Size: 10 x 8 x 7 cm

Weight: 125 grams

How to use the Hobby DC motor

As the name suggests this motor is very simple and easy to use. You can use any normal 12V
battery or even a 9V supply. In order to make it rotate just connect the positive (+) side of battery
to one terminal and the Negative (-) sign of the battery to the other end and you should see the
motor rotating. If you want to reverse the speed of the motor simply interchange the terminals
and direction will also be reversed.
In order to control the speed of the motor you have to vary the voltage supplied to the Motor the
easiest way to do this is using a Potentiometer. There are also many other way to achieve this.

Also remember that the motor can consume upto 300mA during loaded conditions so make sure
you supply could source it. If you are controlling it through any Digital IC or any
Microcontroller you should use a motor driver IC like L293D or ULN2003 these IC’s will also
let you to control the direction of the motor easily.

Applications

Toy cars

Windmill projects

Basic Electronics projects

As Robot wheels

 
Dimensions of DC Motor