Electric Motors - Basics

Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867)

 One of the most influential

scientists in the history whose
discoveries created profound
impact in the development of
society .

 The foundation for development of Electric Motors was laid

by the work of Michael Faraday - Electromagnetic
Induction.
 Demonstrated electromagnetic rotation in the year 1821.-
 Flow of electric current through a wire caused a nearby
magnet to revolve.
 Electric Motor - Basics

I
Force

Ampere's law:
Current flowing through a conductor produces a magnetic
field, which can interact with another magnetic field to
produce a force, and that force can cause mechanical motion.
 Electric Motor - Basics
Source: HARRY MILEAF : ELECTRICITY
If the current carrying
conductor is bent into
a loop then the two
sides of the loop which
are at right angles to
the magnetic field will
experience force in the
opposite directions
thereby creating a
torque to rotate the
coil.
 Electric Motor - Basics
If the direction of current
flow through the
conductor can be
reversed when it moves
from one magnetic pole
to the other then
continuous rotation of
the coil can be ensured.
This can be achieved
using a commutator-
brush assembly.
 Electric Motor - Basics
Source: HARRY MILEAF : ELECTRICITY
Practical motors have
several such coils wound
on an armature and the
magnetic field is
produced by a permanent
magnet or electromagnet.
Flux produced by the
current in the coil
interacts with the flux
produced by the magnet
to create torque that
rotates the armature.
Source: electrical4u.com
 Electric Motor - Basics
 In general the torque production is due to the
interaction of two magnetic fields.

 One field is created by the stationery part of the

motor called ‘Stator’ and the other field is created by
by the rotating part of the motor called ‘Rotor’.

 Different types of motors differ in the way

these two fields are created.

 The control of motors basically involves

control of these two fields.
 DC Motor
A DC motor has a stationary
field structure (electromagnet
or permanent magnet) and a
rotating armature winding
supplied by a commutator and
brushes. The commutator-
brush assembly ensures that
the two fields are always
orthogonal.
Source: HARRY MILEAF : ELECTRICITY

Expression for torque Te = Kt.фf.фa

Where фf is the flux produced by the magnet called ‘field flux’ and фa
is the flux produced by the armature current called ‘armature flux’.
 Separately excited DC Motor

Expression for torque

Te = Kt.фf.фa
Te α If.Ia
If – Field current
Ia – Armature current.

Normally field current is set to maintain rated flux

and armature current is varied to change torque.
Since the two fluxes are orthogonal one can be
changed without affecting the other.
 Separately excited DC Motor
Advantages:
• Very good controllability
• Very good dynamic response
• Easy operation in all the four quadrants.
Disadvantages:
• Electrical connection between stationery and
rotating parts: Requirement of brushes - sparking
• High maintenance.
• Not suitable for explosive environment.
• Expensive
 Separately Excited DC Motor :
Basic Equations

Torque
Back EMF

Power
Power
 Separately Excited DC Motor : Basic Equations

Armature circuit

Field circuit

Under steady state

conditions
 Speed control of DC Motor

Motor speed

Speed of the DC motor can be controlled by :

1. Varying voltage applied to the armature (Va) – Armature control
2. Varying the flux [field current (If)] - Field Control

The speed corresponding to the rated armature voltage, rated

armature current and rated field current is known as base speed.

 At speed less than the base speed armature control is used.

 At speed greater than the base speed field control is used.
Four Quadrant operation of a Motor Drive