

Back EMF in DC Motor

When the current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic

field, the torque induces on the conductor, the torque rotates
the conductor which cuts the flux of the magnetic field.
According to the Electromagnetic Induction Phenomenon
“when the conductor cuts the magnetic field, EMF induces in
the conductor”.

The Fleming right-hand rule determines the direction of the

induced EMF.

According to Fleming Right Hand Rule, if we hold our thumb,

middle finger and index finger of the right hand by an angle
of 90°, then the index finger represents the direction of the
magnetic field. The thumb shows the direction of motion of
the conductor and the middle finger represents the emf
induces on the conductor.

On applying the right-hand rule in the figure shown below, it

is seen that the direction of the induced emf is opposite to
the applied voltage. Thereby the emf is known as the
counter emf or back emf.
The back emf is developed in series with the applied voltage,
but opposite in direction, i.e., the back emf opposes the
current which causes it.

The magnitude of the back emf is given by the same

expression shown below:

Where Eb is the induced emf of the motor known as Back

EMF, A is the number of parallel paths through the armature
between the brushes of opposite polarity. P is the number of
poles, N is the speed, Z is the total number of conductors in
the armature and ϕ is the useful flux per pole.
A simple conventional circuit diagram of the machine
working as a motor is shown in the diagram below:

In this case, the magnitude of the back emf is always less

than the applied voltage. The difference between the two is
nearly equal when the motor runs under normal conditions.

The current induces on the motor because of the main

supply. The relation between the main supply, back emf and
armature current is given as Eb = V – IaRa.

Advantages of Back Emf in DC Motor

1. The back emf opposes the supply voltage. The supply

voltage induces the current in the coil which rotates the
armature. The electrical work required by the motor for
causing the current against the back emf is converted into
mechanical energy. And that energy is induced in the
armature of the motor. Thus, we can say that energy
conversion in the DC motor is possible only because of the
back emf.

The mechanical energy induced in the motor is the product

of the back emf and the armature current, i.e., EbIa.

2. The back emf makes the DC motor self-regulating

machine, i.e., the back emf develops the armature current
according to the need of the motor. The armature current of
the motor is calculated as:

Let’s understand how the back emf makes motor self-

regulating.

Consider the motor is running at no-load condition. At

no load, the DC motor requires small torque for
controlling the friction and windage loss. The motor
withdraws less current. As the back emf depends on the
current their value also decreases. The magnitude of the
back EMF is nearly equal to the supply voltage.
If the sudden load is applied to the motor, the motor
becomes slow down. As the speed of the motor
decreases, the magnitude of their back emf also falls
down. The small back emf withdraw heavy current from
 the supply. The large armature current induces the large
torque in the armature, which is the need of the motor.
Thus, the motor moves continuously at a new speed.
If the load on the motor is suddenly reduced, the driving
torque on the motor is more than the load torque. The
driving torque increases the speed of the motor which
also increases their back emf. The high value of back
emf decreases the armature current. The small
magnitude of armature current develops less driving
torque, which is equal to the load torque. And the motor
will rotate uniformly at the new speed.

relation between Mechanical power (Pm), supply voltage (Vt) and Back
EMF (Eb)

The back emf in the dc motor is expressed as:

Where Eb – Back Emf

Ia – Armature Current
Vt – Terminal Voltage
Ra – Resistance of Armature

The maximum power developed on the motor is expressed

by
On differentiating the above equation we get

From the back emf equation, we get

On substituting the IaRa in the above equation, we get

The above equation shows that the maximum power is

developed in the motor when the back emf is equal to half of
the supply voltage.

Related Terms:
1. Working Principle of an Induction Motor
2. Working Principle of a DC Motor
3. Torque Equation of a DC Motor
 4. Difference between Induction Motor and Synchronous
Motor
5. Effect of Load on a Synchronous Motor

5 thoughts on “Back EMF in DC Motor”

STEPHEN CHENG
APRIL 15, 2018 AT 10:58 PM

How is the length of armature conductor related to the back

emf ? Is the back emf equation presented as E = nBLV. E =
back emf ; n = number of conductors ; B = Flux Density ; L =
length of conductor ; V = rotational velocity

Reply

RAJU ADHIKARI
JULY 4, 2018 AT 12:14 PM

back emf is not related to the length of the armature

conductor.

Reply
 UJWAL BHAGAT
MARCH 11, 2019 AT 7:35 AM

As we increase the length of conductor .

So obviously turns of winding on armature increase.
That’s why back emf production is also increase.

Reply

SHWETHA
MAY 2, 2020 AT 7:19 AM

Very clear explanation mam… Tq

Reply

SIMON
APRIL 8, 2021 AT 1:38 AM

Great and simplified explanation

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are
marked *

Type here..

Name*

Email*

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the

next time I comment.

Post Comment »
MOST SEARCHED TERMS

Star Delta Starter

Peak Value, Average Value and RMS Value

Active, Reactive and Apparent Power

Electrical Bus-Bar and its Types

Emf Equation of a DC Generator

Electrical Earthing

Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement

Reciprocity Theorem

Eddy Current Loss

Excitation System

COMMON TERMS

Synchronous Machine

Regenerative Braking

Thevenin’s Theorem

Auto Transformer
Armature Winding

DC Machine

RLC Series Circuit

RS Flip Flop

Power Triangle

Parallel Resonance

NEW ADDITIONS

Difference Between Symmetric and Asymmetric Multiprocessing

Electromagnetic Flow Meter

Difference Between Charge and Mass

Dispersion in Optical Fiber

Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

CATEGORIES

Circuit Theory

Comparisons

DC Machines
Electrical Drives

Electrical Instrumentation

Electrical Machines

Electrical Measurement

Electrical Terms

Electronic Instrumentation

Electronic Terms

Induction Motor

Magnetic Circuit

Optical Fiber Communication

Power Systems

Special Machines

Switchgear and Protection

Synchronous Machines

Transformer

SOCIAL MEDIA
Copyright © 2022 Circuit Globe · Contact Us · About Us · Privacy