What is DC Motor?

A DC motor is an electric motor that runs on direct current power. In an electric

motor, the operation is dependent upon simple electromagnetism. A current-
carrying conductor generates a magnetic field, when this is then placed in an
external magnetic field, it will encounter a force proportional to the current in
the conductor and to the strength of the external magnetic field. It is a device
that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. It works on the fact that
a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force
that causes it to rotate with respect to its original position. Practical DC Motor
consists of field windings to provide the magnetic flux and armature which
acts as the conductor.

The input of a brushless DC motor is current/voltage and its output is torque.
Understanding the operation of the DC motor is very simple from a basic
diagram is shown below. DC motor basically consists of two main parts. The
rotating part is called the rotor and the stationary part is also called the stator.
The rotor rotates with respect to the stator.
The rotor consists of windings, the windings being electrically associated with
the commutator. The geometry of the brushes, commutator contacts, and
rotor windings are such that when power is applied, the polarities of the
energized winding and the stator magnets are misaligned and the rotor will
turn until it is very nearly straightened with the stator’s field magnets.

As the rotor reaches alignment, the brushes move to the next commutator
contacts and energize the next winding. The rotation reverses the direction of
current through the rotor winding, prompting a flip of the rotor’s magnetic field,
driving it to keep rotating.

Construction of DC Motor
The construction of the DC motor is shown below. It is very important to know
its design before knowing it’s working. The essential parts of this motor
include armature as well as stator.
 DC MOTOR
The armature coil is the rotating part whereas the stationary part is the stator.
In this, the armature coil is connected toward the DC supply which includes
the brushes as well as the commutators. The main function of the commutator
is to convert the AC to DC which is induced in the armature. The flow of
current can be supplied by using the brush from the motor’s rotary part toward
the inactive outside load. The arrangement of the armature can be done in
between the two poles of the electromagnet or permanent.

DC Motor Parts
In DC motors, there are different popular designs of motors that are available
like a brushless, permanent magnet, series, compound wound, shunt,
otherwise stabilized shunt. In general, the parts of dc motor are the same in
these popular designs but the whole operation of this is the same. The main
parts of dc motor include the following.

Stator
A stationary part like a stator is one of the parts in DC motor parts which
includes the field windings. The main function of this is to get the supply.

Rotor
The rotor is the dynamic part of the motor that is used to create the
mechanical revolutions of the unit.

Brushes
Brushes using a commutator mainly work as a bridge to fix the stationary
electrical circuit toward the rotor.
Commutator
It is a split ring that is designed with copper segments. It is also one of the
most essential parts of dc motor.

Field Windings
These windings are made with field coils which are known as copper wires.
These windings round approximately the slots carried through the pole shoes.

Armature Windings
The construction of these windings in the DC motor is two types like Lap &
Wave.

Yoke
A magnetic frame like a yoke is designed with cast iron or steel sometimes. It
works like a guard.

Poles
Poles in the motor include two main parts like the pole core as well as pole
shoes. These essential parts are connected together through hydraulic force
& are connected to the yoke.

Teeth/Slot
The non-conducting slot liners are frequently jammed among the slot walls as
well as coils for safety from scratch, mechanical support & additional electrical
insulation. The magnetic material between the slots is called teeth.

Motor Housing
The housing of the motor gives support to the brushes, the bearings & the iron
core.

Working Principle
An electrical machine that is used to convert the energy from electrical to
mechanical is known as a DC motor. The DC motor working principle is that
when a current-carrying conductor is located within the magnetic field, then it
experiences a mechanical force. This force direction can be decided through
Flemming’s left-hand rule as well as its magnitude.
If the first finger is extended, the second finger, as well as the left hand’s
thumb, will be vertical to each other & primary finger signifies the magnetic
field’s direction, the next finger signifies the current direction & the third finger-
like thumb signifies the force direction which is experienced through the
conductor.

F = BIL Newtons
Where,

‘B’ is the magnetic flux density,

‘I’ is current

‘L’ is the conductor’s length in the magnetic field.

Whenever an armature winding is given toward a DC supply, then the flow of

current will be set up within the winding. Field winding or permanent magnets
will provide the magnetic field. So, armature conductors will experience a
force because of the magnetic field based on the above-stated principle.
The Commutator is designed like sections to attain uni-directional torque or
the path of force would have overturned each time once the way of the
conductor’s movement is upturned within the magnetic field. So, this is the
working principle of the DC motor.

Types of DC Motors
The different types of dc motors are discussed below.

Geared DC Motors
Geared motors tend to reduce the speed of the motor but with a
corresponding increase in torque. This property comes in handy, as DC
motors can rotate at speeds much too fast for an electronic device to makes
use of. Geared motors commonly consist of a DC brush motor and a gearbox
attached to the shaft. Motors are distinguished as geared by two connected
units. It has many applications due to its cost of designing, reduces the
complexity, and constructing applications such as industrial equipment,
actuators, medical tools, and robotics.

 No good robot can ever be built without gears. All things considered, a
good understanding of how gears affect parameters such as torque and
velocity is very important.
 Gears work on the principle of mechanical advantage. This implies that
by using distinctive gear diameters, we can exchange between rotational
velocity and torque. Robots do not have a desirable speed to torque ratio.
 In robotics, torque is better than speed. With gears, it is possible to
exchange the high velocity with better torque. The increase in torque is
inversely proportional to the reduction in speed.

Geared DC Motors
Speed Reduction in Geared DC Motor
Speed reduction in gears comprises of a little gear driving a larger gear. There
may be few sets of these reduction gear sets in a reduction gearbox.

Speed Reduction in geared DC Motor

Sometimes the objective of using a gear motor is to reduce the rotating shaft
speed of a motor in the device being driven, for example in a small electric
clock where the tiny synchronous motor may be turning at 1,200 rpm however
is decreased to one rpm to drive the second hand and further reduced in the
clock mechanism to drive the minute and hour hands. Here the amount of
driving force is irrelevant as long as it is sufficient to overcome the frictional
impacts of the clock mechanism.

Series DC Motor
A Series motor is a DC series motor where field winding is connected
internally in series to the armature winding. The series motor provides high
starting torque but must never be run without a load and is able to move very
large shaft loads when it is first energized. Series motors are also known as a
series-wound motor.

In series motors, the field windings are associated in series with the armature.
The field strength varies with progressions in armature current. At the time its
speed is reduced by a load, the series motor advances more excellent torque.
Its starting torque is more than different sorts of DC motor.

It can also radiate more easily the heat that has built up in the winding due to
a large amount of current being carried. Its speed shifts considerably between
full-load and no-load. When the load is removed, motor speed increases, and
current through the armature and field coils decreases. The unloaded
operation of large machines is hazardous.

Series Motor
Current through the armature and field coils decreases, the strength of the flux
lines around them weakens. If the strength of the flux lines around the coils
was reduced at the same rate as the current flowing through them, both would
decrease at the same rate at

which the motor speed increases.

Advantages 
The advantages of a series motor include the following.
 Huge starting torque
 Simple Construction
 Designing is easy
 Maintenance is easy
 Cost-effective
Applications 
Series Motors can produce enormous turning power, the torque from its idle
state. This characteristic makes series motors suitable for small electrical
appliances, versatile electric equipment and etc. Series motors are not
suitable when constant speed is needed. The reason is that the velocity of
series motors varies greatly with varying loads.

Shunt Motor
Shunt motors are shunt DC motors, where the field windings shunted to or are
connected in parallel to the armature winding of the motor. The shunt DC
motor is commonly used because of its best speed regulation. Also hence
both the armature winding and the field windings are presented to the same
supply voltage, however, there are discrete branches for the stream of
armature current and the field current.

A shunt motor has somewhat distinctive working characteristics than a series

motor. Since the shunt field coil is made of fine wire, it cannot produce a large
current for starting like the series field. This implies that the shunt motor has
extremely low starting torque, which requires that the shaft load be quite little.

Shunt Motor
When voltage is applied to the shunt motor, a very low amount of current
flows through the shunt coil. The armature for the shunt motor is similar to the
series motor and it will draw current to produce a strong magnetic field. Due to
the interaction of the magnetic field around the armature and the field
produced around the shunt field, the motor starts to rotate.

Like the series motor, when the armature begins to turn, it will produce back
EMF. The back EMF will cause the current in the armature to begin to
diminish to a very small level. The amount of current the armature will draw is
directly related to the size of the load when the motor reaches full speed.
Since the load is generally small, the armature current will be small.

Advantages
The advantages of shunt motor include the following.

 Simple control performance, resulting in a high level of flexibility for

solving complex drive problems
 High availability, therefore minimal service effort needed
 High level of electromagnetic compatibility
 Very smooth running, therefore low mechanical stress of the overall
system and high dynamic control processes
 Wide control range and low speeds, therefore universally usable
Applications
Shunt DC motors are very suitable for belt-driven applications. This constant
speed motor is used in industrial and automotive applications such as
machine tools and winding/unwinding machines where a great amount of
torque precision is required.

DC Compound Motors
DC compound motors include a separately excited shunt field which has an
excellent starting torque however it faces troubles within the variable speed
applications. The field in these motors can be connected in series through the
armature as well as a shunt field which is separately excited. The series field
gives a superior starting torque whereas the shunt field gives enhanced speed
regulation. But, the series field causes control issues within the applications of
variable speed drive & is normally not utilized in 4-quadrant drives.

Separately Excited
As the name suggests, the field windings otherwise coils are energized
through a separate DC source. The unique fact of these motors is that the
armature current does not supply throughout the field windings, because the
field winding is strengthened from a separate exterior DC current source. The
torque equation of DC motor is Tg = Ka φ Ia, In this case, the torque is
changed through changing filed flux ‘φ’ & independent of the ‘Ia’ armature
current.
Self Excited
As the name suggests, in this type of motor, the current within the windings
can be supplied through the motor otherwise machine itself. Further, this
motor is separated into the series wound and shunt-wound motor.

Permanent Magnet DC Motor

The PMDC or permanent magnet DC motor includes an armature winding.
These motors are designed with permanent magnets by placing them on the
inside margin of the stator core for generating the field flux. On the other
hand, the rotor includes a conventional DC armature including brushes &
commutator segments.

In a permanent magnet DC motor, the magnetic field can be formed through a

permanent magnet. So, the input current is not used for excitation which is
used in air conditioners, wipers, automobile starters, etc.

What is DC Motor?
It is a type of electrical machine that converts DC electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
The basic principle on which DC motor operates is “when a current-carrying conductor
is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a mechanical force mutually perpendicular
to the magnetic field & current direction”.  The direction of the force is determined
by Fleming’s left-hand rule.
The armature of the DC motor is made of multiple conductor windings. It is placed
inside a housing made for a permanent magnet that generates the magnetic field. The
armature carries the direct current supplied by any DC source such as batteries. The
magnetic field interacts with the current-carrying conductors of the armature. Thus the
armature experiences a mechanical force.

Since the input is applied to a moving part (rotor) of DC motor, we use carbon brushes

& commutator to supply alternating current to the armature. Therefore, they are
called Brushed DC motor. The brushes & commutator wear out with time, so they
need frequent maintenance. The sparks between the commutator also decrease its
efficiency & generate noise.
In BLDC (Brushless DC) motor, the stator is made of multiple coils that surround the
rotor armature made of permanent magnets. The DC is changed into 3 phase AC using
thyristors & supplied to the stator coils to generate a rotating magnetic field. In such
motors, the input is applied to the stationary part thus it does not require brushes or
commutator. It helps in increasing the performance of the motor as well as its efficiency.
You may also know more about stepper motors and servo motors in the previous details
posts.
Therefore in DC motor, the input can be applied to the rotor (in brushed DC motor) &
as well as the stator (in BLDC motor).
The speed of the DC motor can be easily controlled by varying the input voltage. One
simple method of controlling the input voltage is PWM (pulse width modulation). The
direction of the DC motor reverses by changing the polarity of the input DC supply.

Key Differences Between AC and DC Motor

AC Motor DC Motor
An electrical machine that converts AC An electrical machine that converts DC
electrical energy into mechanical energy. electrical energy into Mechanical energy.
It is powered by alternating current (AC). It is powered by a unidirectional direct
 current (DC).
There are two main types of AC
There are two main types of DC motor; Brushed
motors; Asynchronous (Induction)
DC motor & Brushless DC (BLDC) motor.
motor & Synchronous motor.
AC motors can be single phase (phase and
DC Motors are single phase having two lines as
neutral as input) or three phase (3 lines of live
input (positive and negative).
wires as input).
The input supply to the armature is AC, so it The input supply is DC, so it needs
does not need commutation. Commutation the DC input into AC.
The armature is always stationary known The armature in brushed DC motor rotates also
as Stator. known as the rotor.
The input is supplied to stator thus no need for The input is supplied to the rotor thus it needs
carbon brushes. Carbon brushes & commutator.
It does not generate any noise & operate The brushes slide along armature generates
smoothly. noise & sparks.
It offers increased output power. It offers a wide range of speed control.
The input supplies can be Single- The input supply is a DC source such
phase or three-phase. as batteries, cell & solar panel, etc.
It uses the AC mains as its input supply. It uses stored backup power from batteries.
Its direction can be reversed by changing the
Its direction can be easily reversed by changing
polarity of starter winding in a single phase &
the polarity of input DC supply.
swapping any two terminals in a 3-phase motor.
Its speed is controlled by varying the input It speed is controlled by varying armature
frequency. It uses VFD for controlling their current. It is easier to control externally through
speed. PWM.
It requires frequent & costly maintenance.
It requires less maintenance & is cost-effective.
thus they are costlier then AC.
The magnetic field rotates while the armature The magnetic field is stationary while the
is stationary. armature rotates.
The torque decreases with an increase in It provides a constant torque over a wide range
speed. of speed.
DC Motor has high efficiency because the
AC motor has relatively low efficiency due to
magnetic field is generated by a permanent
the induction current losses.
magnet.
Not all AC motors are self-starting & require All dc motors are self-starting motors.
 external equipment to start.
The AC induction motor is the most used Used in application requiring precise position
electrical motor in the domestic & industrial control & high torque such as lifts, cranes,
sectors such as in drill machines, water pumps, conveyor belts, etc. also small motors in
fans, washing machines, blowers, etc. embedded electronics, small toys.

Single-Phase Induction Motor – Construction, Operation & Types of 1-

Phase Induction Motors
The single-phase motors are more preferred over a three-phase induction motor for
domestic, commercial applications. Because form utility, only single-phase supply is
available. So, in this type of application, the three-phase induction motor cannot be
used. 
in the following post, we will be showing the construction and different types of 1-phase
induction motors with working and applications.
 Related Post: Three-Phase Induction Motor – Construction, Working,
Types & Applications
Table of Contents
 Construction of Single-Phase Induction Motor
o Stator
o Rotor
 Working of Single-phase Induction Motor
 Types of Single-phase Induction Motors
o Split Phase Induction Motor
 o Shaded Pole Induction Motor
o Capacitor Start Induction Motor
o Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Induction Motor
o Permanent Capacitor Induction Motor
 Applications of Single Phase Induction Motors

Construction of Single-Phase Induction Motor

A single phase induction motor is similar to the three phase squirrel cage induction
motor except there is single phase two windings (instead of one three phase winding in
3-phase motors) mounted on the stator and the cage winding rotor is placed inside the
stator which freely rotates with the help of mounted bearings on the motor shaft.
The construction of a single-phase induction motor is similar to the construction of a
three-phase induction motor.

Similar to a three-phase induction motor, single-phase induction motor also has two
main parts;
 Stator
 Rotor
Related Post: DC Machine – Construction, Working, Types and Applications
Stator
In stator, the only difference is in the stator winding. The stator winding is single-phase
winding instead of three-phase winding. The stator core is the same as the core of the
three-phase induction motor.
In a single-phase induction motor, there are two winding are used in stator except in
shaded-pole induction motor. Out of these two windings, one winding is the main
winding and the second is auxiliary winding.
The stator core is laminated to reduce the eddy current loss. The single-phase supply is
given to the stator winding (main winding)
Rotor
Rotor of single-phase induction motor is the same as a rotor of squirrel cage induction
motor. Instead of rotor winding, rotor bars are used and it is short-circuited at the end by
end-rings. Hence, it makes a complete path in the rotor circuit. The rotor bars are
braced to the end-rings to increase the mechanical strength of the motor.
The rotor slots are skewed at some angle to avoid magnetic coupling. And it also used
to make a motor run smooth and quiet.
The following fig shows the stator and rotor of a 1-phase induction motor.

 Related Post: Servo Motor – Types, Construction, Working, Controlling &

Applications
Working of Single-phase Induction Motor
Single-phase AC supply is given to the stator winding (main winding). The alternating
current flowing through the stator winding produces magnetic flux. This flux is known as
the main flux.
Now we assume that the rotor is rotating and it is placed in a magnetic field produced by
the stator winding. According to Faraday’s law, the current start flowing in the rotor
circuit it is a close path. This current is known as rotor current.
Due to the rotor current, the flux produced around the rotor winding. This flux is known
as rotor flux.
There are two fluxes; main flux which is produced by stator and second is the rotor
flux which is produced by the rotor.
Interaction between main flux and rotor flux, the torque produced in the rotor and it
starts rotating.
The stator field is alternating in nature. The speed of the stator field is the same as
synchronous speed. The synchronous speed of the motor depends on the number of
pole and supply frequency.
It can represent by two revolving fields. These fields are equal in magnitude and rotating
in the opposite direction.
Let say Φm is a maximum field induced in the main winding. So, this field is divided into
two equal parts and that is Φm/2 and Φm/2.
Out of these two fields, one field Φf is rotating in an anticlockwise direction and the
second field Φb is rotating in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the resultant field is zero.
Φr = Φf – Φb

Φr = 0
Now consider the resultant field at different instants.

When a motor starts, two fields are induced as shown in the above figure. These two
fields are the same magnitude and opposite direction. So, resultant flux is zero.
In this condition, the stator field cannot cut by rotor field and resultant torque is zero. So,
the rotor cannot rotate but it produces humming.

Now consider after the rotation of 90˚, both filed are rotated and pointing in the same
direction. Therefore, the resultant flux is a summation of both fields.
Φr = Φf + Φb

Φr = 0
In this condition, the resultant filed is equal to the maximum field induced by the stator.
Now, both fields rotate separately and it is alternative in nature.
So, both fields cut by the rotor circuit and EMF induced in the rotor conductor. Due to
this EMF, the current starts flowing in the rotor circuit and it induces a rotor flux.
Due to the interaction between stator flux and rotor flux motor continues to rotate. This
theory is known as Double Revolving Theory or double field revolving theory.
Now, from the above explanation, we can conclude that the single-phase induction
motor is not self-starting.
To make this motor self-starting motor, we need stator flux rotating in nature instead of
alternating nature. This can be done by various methods.
 Related Post: Brushless DC Motor (BLDC) – Construction, Working
Principle & Applications
Single-phase induction motor can be classified according to starting methods.
Types of Single-phase Induction Motors
The single-phase induction motors are classified as;
 Split Phase Induction Motor
 Shaded Pole Induction Motor
 Capacitor Start Induction Motor
 Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Induction Motor
 Permanent Capacitor Induction Motor
Split Phase Induction Motor
In this type of motor, an extra winding is wounded on the same core of the stator. So,
there are two windings in the stator.
One winding is known as the main winding or running winding and second winding is
known as starting winding or auxiliary winding. A centrifugal switch is connected in
series with the auxiliary winding.
The auxiliary winding is highly resistive winding and the main winding is highly inductive
winding. The auxiliary winding has few turns with a small diameter.
The aim of auxiliary winding is to create a phase difference between both fluxes
produced by the main winding and rotor winding.

The connection diagram is as shown in the above figure. The current flowing through
the main winding is IM and current flowing through the auxiliary winding is IA. Both
windings are parallel and supplied by voltage V.
The auxiliary winding is highly resistive in nature. So, the current IA is almost in phase
with supply voltage V.
The main winding is highly inductive in nature. So, the current IM lags behind the supply
voltage with a large angle.
The total stator flux is induced by the resultant current of these two winding. As shown
in the phasor diagram, the resultant current is represented as (I). It will create a phase
difference between fluxes and resultant flux produces a rotating magnetic field. And the
motor starts rotating.
Auxiliary winding only uses to start the motor. This winding is not useful in running
condition. When the motor reaches 75 to 80 % of synchronous speed, the centrifugal
switch opens. So, the auxiliary winding is out from the circuit. And motor runs on only
main winding.
The phase difference creates by this method is very small. Hence, the starting torque of
this motor is poor. So, this motor is used in low starting torque applications like a fan,
blower, grinder, pumps, etc.
 Related Post: Stepper Motor – Types, Construction, Operation &
Applications
Shaded Pole Induction Motor
As compared to other types of single-phase induction motor, this motor has a different
construction and working principle. This type of motor does not require auxiliary
winding.
This motor has stator salient pole or projecting pole and the rotor is the same as squirrel
cage induction motor. The stator poles are constructed specially to create a rotating
magnetic field.
A pole of this motor is divided into two parts; shaded part and un-shaded part. It can be
created by cutting pole into unequal distances.
A copper ring is placed in the small part of the pole. This ring is a highly inductive ring
and it is known as a shaded ring or shaded band. The part at which shaded ring is
paced is known as shaded part of the pole and the remaining part is an unshaded part.
The construction of this motor is as shown in the below figure.
When an alternating supply passing through the stator winding, an alternating flux
induced in the stator coil. Due to this flux, some amount of flux will link with shaded ring
and current will flow through a shaded ring.
According to Len’z law, the current passing through coil is opposite in nature, and flux
produced due to this coil will oppose the main flux.
The shaded ring is a highly inductive coil. So, it will oppose the main flux when both
fluxes are in the same direction and it will increase the main flux when both fluxes are in
the opposite direction.
So, it will create a phase difference between the main flux (stator flux) and rotor flux. By
this method, a phase difference is very less. Hence, the starting torque is very less. It is
used in applications like toy motor, fan, blower, record player, etc.
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Capacitor Start Induction Motor
This type of motor is an advanced version of the Split phase induction motor. The
disadvantage of split-phase induction is low torque production. Because in this motor,
the phase difference created is very less.
This disadvantage compensates in this motor with the help of a capacitor connected in
series with auxiliary winding. The circuit diagram of this motor is as shown in the below
figure.

The capacitor used in this motor is a dry-type capacitor. This is designed to use with
alternating current. But this capacitor is not used for continuous operation.
In this method also, a centrifugal switch is used which disconnects the capacitor and
auxiliary winding when the motor runs 75-80% of synchronous speed.
The current through auxiliary will lead the supply voltage by some angle. This angle is
more than the angle increased in a split-phase induction motor.
So, the starting torque of this motor is very high compared to the split-phase induction
motor. The starting torque of this motor is 300% more than the full load torque.
Due to high starting torque, this motor is used in the applications where high starting
torque is required like, a Lath machine, compressor, drilling machines, etc. 
 Related Post: Motor Efficiency and How to improve it?
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run Induction Motor
In this type of motor, two capacitors are connected in parallel with series in auxiliary
winding. Out of these two capacitors, one capacitor is used only for starting (starting
capacitor) and another capacitor is connected permanently with the motor (running
capacitor). 
The circuit diagram of this figure is as shown in the below figure.

The starting capacitor has high capacitance value and a running capacitor has low
capacitance value. The starting capacitor is connected in series with a centrifugal switch
that will open when the speed of the motor is 70% of synchronous speed.
During running conditions, both running winding and auxiliary winding connected with
motor. The starting torque and efficiency of this motor are very high.
Therefore, this can be used in the application where high starting torque is required like
a refrigerator, air conditioner, ceiling fan, compressor, etc.
 Related Post: Direct Online Starter – DOL Starter Wiring Diagram for
Motors
Permanent Capacitor Induction Motor
The low-value capacitor is connected constantly with the auxiliary winding. Here, the
capacitor has low capacitance.
The capacitor is used to increase the starting torque but it is low compared to the
capacitor start induction motor.
The circuit diagram and phasor diagram of this motor is as shown in the below figure.

The power factor and efficiency of this motor are very high and also it has a high
starting torque that is 80% of full load torque.
This type of motor is used in the application like an exhaust fan, blower, heater, etc.
 Related Post: What is Motor Starter? Types of Motor Starters and Motor
Starting Methods
Applications of Single Phase Induction Motors
Single phase motors are not self starting and less efficient than three phase induction
motor and available in 0.5HP to 15HP and still they are widely used for multiple
purposes such as:
 Clocks
 Refrigerators, freezers and heaters
 Fans, table fans, ceiling fan, exhaust fans, air coolers and water coolers.
 Blowers
 Washing machines
 machine tools
 Dryers
 Type writers, photostats and printers
 Water pumps and submersible
 Computers
 Grinders
 Drilling machines
 Other Home instrument, equipment and devices etc.

What is a DC Shunt Motor :

Construction, Working Principle,
Circuit Diagram
In electrical motors, a series circuits and parallel circuits are commonly known
as a series and shunt. Therefore, in DC motors the connections of the field
windings, as well as the armature, can be done parallel which is known as DC
shunt motor. The main difference between DC series motor as well as DC
shunt motor mainly includes the construction, operation and speed
characteristics. This motor gives features like easy reversing control, speed
regulation, and starting torque is low. Thus, this motor can be used for belt-
driven applications within automotive as well as industrial applications.
What is a DC Shunt Motor?
A DC shunt motor is a type of self-excited DC motor, and it is also known as a
shunt wound DC motor. The field windings in this motor can be connected in
parallel to the armature winding. So both windings of this motor will expose to
the equal voltage power supply, and this motor maintains an invariable speed
with any kind of load. This motor has a low starting torque and also runs at a
constant speed.
 DC Shunt Motor

Construction and Working Principle

The DC shunt motor construction is the same as any type of DC motor. This
motor can be constructed with the basic parts like field windings (stator), a
commutator and an armature (rotor).
The working principle of a DC Shunt Motor is, whenever a DC motor is turned
ON, then DC flows throughout stator as well as the rotor. This current flow will
generate two fields namely pole as well as the armature.

In the air gap between armature and field shoes, there are two magnetic
fields, and they will respond with each other for revolving the armature.

The commutator overturns the armature current flow direction at ordinary

gaps. So the armature field is repelled with pole field for all time, it keeps
revolving the armature within the equal direction.

DC-Shunt Motor Circuit Diagram

The DC shunt motor circuit diagram is shown below, and the flow of current
and voltage being supplied to the motor from the supply can be given by Itotal
& E.

DC Shunt Motor
Circuit Diagram
In case of the shunt wound DC motor, this current supply will divide into two
ways like Ia,& Ish, where ‘Ia’ will supply throughout the ‘Ra’ resistance
armature winding. In the same way, ‘Ish’ will supply through the ‘Rsh’
resistance field winding.

Therefore, we can write it as Itotal = Ia + Ish

We know that Ish = E/ Rsh

Otherwise Ia = Itotal- Ish= E/Ra
Generally, when the DC motor is in running state & the voltage supply voltage
is stable and the shunt field current given by

Ish = E/Rsh
But we know that the armature current is proportional to the field flux (Ish ∝
Φ). Thus the Φ remains more otherwise less stable, due to this reason; a
shunt wound DC motor can be named as a constant flux motor.
Back EMF in DC Shunt Motor
Whenever the DC shunt motor’s armature winding rotates within the magnetic
field which is generated by the field winding. Thus an e.m.f can be stimulated
within the armature winding based on the Faradays law (electromagnetic
induction). Although, according to Lenz’s law, the induced e.m.f can act within
reverse direction toward the armature voltage supply.
Thus, this e.m.f is named as the back e.m.f, & it is represented with Eb.
Mathematically, this can be expressed as,

Eb = (PφNZ) / 60A V
Where P = no. of poles

Φ = Flux for each pole within Wb

N = Motor’s speed in revolutions per minute

Z = No. of armature conductors

A = No. of parallel lanes

DC Shunt Motor Speed Control

The speed characteristic of a shunt motor is different compared with a series
motor. As a DC Shunt motor attains its complete speed, then the armature
current can be directly connected to the motor load. When the load is
extremely low within a shunt motor, then the armature current can also be
low. When the DC motor attains its complete speed, then it remains stable.
The speed characteristic of a shunt motor is different compared with a series
motor. As a DC Shunt motor attains its complete speed, then the armature
current can be directly connected to the motor load. When the load is
extremely low within a shunt motor, then the armature current can also be low.
When the DC motor attains its complete speed, then it remains stable.

The DC shunt motor speed can be controlled very easily. The speed can be
maintained constant until the load changes. Once the load changes, then the
armature tends to delay, which will result in the less back e.m.f. Thus, the DC
motor will draw extra current, this will consequence in enhance within torque
to gain speed.
So, whenever the load enhances, the net result of load on speed in a motor is
approximately nil. Similarly, once the load decreases, then the armature
achieves speed & produces extra back e.m.f.
The DC shunt motor speed can be controlled in two ways

 By altering the sum of current flowing through the shunt windings

 By altering the sum of current flowing through the armature
In general, DC motors appear with a particular rated voltage & speed in
(revolutions per minute. Once this motor functions under its complete voltage,
then the torque will be reduced.

Brake Test on DC Shunt Motor

The brake test is the one kind of load test on dc shunt motor. Generally, this
test can be done for the low rated DC machines. The main reason for doing
this test is to identify the efficiency and also by using this test, the output of
mechanical power can be calculated & separate the same by using electrical
input. So this is the reason to calculate the efficiency of the DC motor, this test
is used. Therefore, this type of test cannot be employed on the superior rated
machines.
Characteristics of DC Shunt Motor
The characteristics of shunt DC motor include the following.
 This DC motor works at a fixed speed once the voltage supply is set.
 This DC motor is upturned by the turn around the motor connections like
a series motor.
 In this type of DC motor, by a rising motor current, torque can be
improved without reducing in speed.
DC Shunt Motor Applications
The applications of shunt DC motor include the following.
 These motors are used wherever stable speed is required.
 This kind of DC motor can be used in Centrifugal Pumps, Lifts, Weaving
Machine, Lathe Machines, Blowers, Fans, Conveyors, Spinning machines,
etc.
Thus, this is all about an overview of DC shunt motor. From the above
information finally, we can conclude that these motors are ideal where exact
speed control is needed due to their self-regulating speed capacities. The
applications of this motor mainly comprise machines instruments like grinders,
latches & industrial tools like compressors as well as fans. Here is a question
for you, what are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a DC shunt motor?
DC Series Motor Working and Its
Applications
There are two types of DC motors based on the construction such as self-
excited, and separately excited. Similarly, self-excited motors classified into
three types namely DC series motor, DC shunt motor, and DC compound
motor. This article discusses an overview of the series motor, and the main
function of this motor is to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. The
working principle of this motor mainly depends on electromagnetic law, which
states that whenever a magnetic field is formed in the region of current
carrying conductor & cooperates with an outside field, then the rotating motion
can be generated. Once the series motor is started, then it will give utmost
speed as well as torque slowly with high speed.
What is DC Series Motor?
The DC Series Motor is similar to any other motor because the main function
of this motor is to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. The operation
of this motor mainly depends on the electromagnetic principle. Whenever the
magnetic field is formed approximately, a current carrying conductor
cooperates with an exterior magnetic field, and then a rotating motion can be
generated.
 DC Series Motor

Components used in DC Series Motor

The components of this motor mainly include the rotor (the armature),
commutator, stator, axle, field windings, and brushes. The fixed component of
the motor is the stator, and it is built with two otherwise more electromagnet
pole parts. The rotor includes the armature and the windings on the core allied
to the commutator. The power source can be connected toward the armature
windings throughout a brush array allied to the commutator.
The rotor includes a central axle for rotating, and the field winding must be
able to hold high current due to the larger quantity of current throughout the
winding, the larger will be the torque produced with the motor.

Therefore the motor winding can be fabricated with solid gauge wire. This wire
does not permit a huge number of twists. The winding can be fabricated with
solid copper bars because it assists in simple as well as efficient heat
dissipation generated accordingly by a large amount of current flow during
winding.

DC Series Motor Circuit Diagram

In this motor, field, as well as stator windings, are coupled in series by each
other. Accordingly the armature and field current are equivalent.
Huge current supply straightly from the supply toward the field windings. The
huge current can be carried by field windings because these windings have
few turns as well as very thick. Generally, copper bars form stator windings.
These thick copper bars dissipate heat generated by the heavy flow of current
very effectively. Note that the stator field windings S1-S2 are in series with the
rotating armature A1-A2.

DC Series
Motor Circuit Diagram
In a series motor electric power is supplied between one end of the series
field windings and one end of the armature. When voltage is applied, current
flows from power supply terminals through the series winding and armature
winding. The large conductors present in the armature and field windings
provide the only resistance to the flow of this current. Since these conductors
are so large, their resistance is very low. This causes the motor to draw a
large amount of current from the power supply. When the large current begins
to flow through the field and armature windings, the coils reach saturation that
results in the production of the strongest magnetic field possible.
The strength of these magnetic fields provides the armature shafts with the
greatest amount of torque possible. The large torque causes the armature to
begin to spin with the maximum amount of power and the armature starts to
rotate.

Speed Control of DC Series Motor

The speed control of DC motors can be attained by using the two following
methods
 Flux control Method
 Armature-resistance Control Method.
The most frequently used method is armature-resistance control method.
Because in this method, the flux generated by this motor can be changed. The
difference of flux can be attained by using the three methods like field
diverters, armature diverter, and tapped field control.

Armature-resistance Control
In the armature resistance control method, a changeable resistance can
directly be connected in series through the supply. This can reduce the
voltage which is accessible across the armature & the speed drop. By altering
the variable resistance value, any speed under the regular speed can be
attained. This is the most general method used to control the DC series motor
speed.

Speed Torque Characteristics of DC Series Motor

In general, for this motor, there are 3-characteristic curves are considered
significant like Torque Vs. armature current, Speed Vs. armature current, &
Speed Vs. torque. These three characteristics are determined by using the
following two relations.

Ta ∝ ɸ.Ia
N ∝ Eb/ɸ
The above two equations can be calculated at the equations of emf as well as
torque. For this motor, the back emf’s magnitude can be given with the similar
DC generator e.m.f equation like Eb= Pɸ NZ / 60A. For a mechanism, A, P,
and Z are stable, thus, N ∝ Eb/ɸ.

The DC series motor torque equation is,

Torque= Flux* Armature current

T = If * Ia
Here If= Ia, then the equation will become

T= Ia^2
The DC series motor torque (T) can be proportional to the Ia^2 (square of the
armature current). In load test on dc series motor, the motor should be
activated on load condition because if the motor can be activated on no load,
then it will achieve an extremely high speed.
DC Series Motor Advantages
The advantages of the DC series motor include the following.
 Vast starting torque
 Easy assembly and simple design
 Protection is easy
 Cost-effective
DC Series Motor Disadvantages
The disadvantages of DC series motor include the following.

 The motor speed regulation is fairly poor. When the load speed
increases then the machine speed will decrease
 When the speed is increased, then the DC series motor’s torque will be
decreased sharply.
 This motor always needs the load before running the motor. So these
motors are not suitable for where the motor’s load is totally removed.
Thus, this is all about the DC series motor, and the DC Series Motor
Applications mainly includes, these motors can produce enormous rotating
force and the torque from its inactive state. This feature will make the series
motor fit for mobile electric equipment, tiny electrical appliances, winches,
hoists, etc. These motors are not appropriate as a stable speed is necessary.
The main reason is that these motors changes with an unstable load.
Changing the series motors speed is also not a simple method to implement.
Here is a question for you, what is the main function of the DC series motor?

Compound Wound DC Motor or DC Compound Motor

October 26, 2020 by Electrical4U
A compound wound DC motor (also known as a DC compound motor) is a
type of self-excited motor, and is made up of both series the field coils S 1 S2
and shunt field coils F1 F2 connected to the armature winding as shown in the
figure below.

Both the field coils provide for the required amount of magnetic flux, that
links with the armature coil and brings about the torque necessary to facilitate
rotation at the desired speed. As we can understand, a compound wound DC
motor is basically formed by the amalgamation of a shunt wound DC motor
and series wound DC motor to achieve the better off properties of both these
types. Like a shunt wound DC motor is bestowed with an extremely efficient
speed regulation characteristic, whereas the DC series motor has high starting
torque.
So the compound wound DC motor reaches a compromise in terms of both
these features and has a good combination of proper speed regulation and
high starting torque.

Though its starting torque is not as high as in case of DC motor, nor is its
speed regulation as good as a shunt DC motor. Overall characteristics of DC
shunt motor falls somewhere in between these 2 extreme limits. You can learn
more about motors by studying our electrical MCQs.
Types of Compound Wound DC Motor
The compound wound DC motor can further be subdivided into 2 major
types on the basis of its field winding connection with respect to the armature
winding, and they are:
Long Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor
In case of long shunt compound wound DC motor, the shunt field winding is
connected in parallel across the series combination of both the armature and
series field coil, as shown in the diagram below.

Voltage and Current Equation of Long Shunt Compound Wound

DC Motor
Let E and Itotal be the total supply voltage and current supplied to the input
terminals of the motor. And Ia, Ise , Ish be the values of current flowing through
armature resistance Ra, series winding resistance Rse and shunt winding
resistance Rsh respectively.
Now we know in shunt motor,
And in series motor
Therefore, the current equation of a compound wound DC motor is given by

And its voltage equation is,

Short Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor

In case of short shunt compound wound DC motor, the shunt field winding is
connected in parallel across the armature winding only. And series field coil is
exposed to the entire supply current, before being split up into armature and
shunt field current as shown in the diagram below.

Voltage and Current Equation of Short Shunt Compound Wound

DC Motor
Here also let, E and Itotal be the total supply voltage and current supplied to the
input terminals of the motor. And Ia, Ise, Ish be the values of current flowing
through armature resistance Ra, series winding resistance Rse and shunt
winding resistance Rsh respectively.
But from the diagram above we can see,

Since the entire supply current flows through the series field winding.
And like in the case of a DC shunt motor,
Equation (2) and (3) gives the current equation of a short shunt compound
wound DC motor.
Now for equating the voltage equation, we apply Kirchoff’s law to the circuit
and get,

But since
Thus the final voltage equation can be written as,

Apart from the above mentioned classification, a compound wound DC motor

can further be sub divided into 2 types depending upon excitation or the
nature of compounding. i.e.
Cumulative Compounding of DC Motor

A compound wound DC motor is said to be cumulatively compounded when

the shunt field flux produced by the shunt winding assists or enhances the
effect of main field flux, produced by the series winding.

Differential Compounding of DC Motor

Similarly a compound wound DC motor is said to be deferentially

compounded when the flux due to the shunt field winding diminishes the
effect of the main series winding. This particular trait is not really desirable,
and hence does not find much of a practical application.

The net flux produced in this case is lesser than the original flux and hence
does not find much of a practical application.
The compounding characteristic of the self excited DC motor is shown in the
figure below.