Module 2: DC Motors

A direct current (DC) motor is a type of electric machine that converts electrical energy
into mechanical energy. DC motors take electrical power through direct current, and
convert this energy into mechanical rotation.
DC motors use magnetic fields that occur from the electrical currents generated, which
powers the movement of a rotor fixed within the output shaft. The output torque and
speed depends upon both the electrical input and the design of the motor.

Working Principle of DC Motor

When the field coil is energized, it creates a magnetic field (excitation flux) in the air
gap, in the direction of the radii of the armature. This magnetic field “enters” the
armature from the North pole side of the field coil and “exits” the armature from the
South pole side of the field coil.

When the armature is energized, currents pass through the conductors located under one
field coil pole (on the same side of the brushes) in the same direction, and thus, working
on the principle that “whenever a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field,
it experiences a mechanical force”. The direction of this force is perpendicular to both
the wire and the magnetic field. The two forces create a torque which causes the motor
armature to rotate. The current drawn by the armature of DC motor is directly
proportional to the torque.

Production of Torque in a DC Motor

The direction of this force is given by Fleming's left-hand rule and its magnitude is given

F = BIL Newtons
Where: B = magnetic flux density
I = current
L = length of the conductor within the magnetic field

Fleming's Left-hand Rule (for electric motors) shows the current flows through a
conducting wire, and an external magnetic field is applied across that flow, the conducting
wire experiences a force perpendicular both to that field and to the direction of the current
flow.

The left hand is held with the thumb, index finger and middle finger mutually
perpendicular to each other (at right angles),

 The thumb is pointed in the direction of the force experienced by the current carrying
conductor.
 The index finger is pointed in the direction of the magnetic field. (North to South)
 Then the middle finger represents the direction of the induced or generated current
within the conductor (from the terminal with lower electric potential to the terminal with
higher electric potential, as in a voltage source).
The torque equation of DC Motor
T = KφIa

Back EMF

When the armature of a motor is rotating, the conductors are also cutting the magnetic
flux lines and hence according to the Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, an emf
induces in the armature conductors. The direction of this induced emf is such that it
opposes the armature current (Ia). Magnitude of back emf is directly proportional to speed
of the motor. If a dc motor is suddenly loaded, the load will cause decrease in the speed.
Due to decrease in speed, back emf will also decrease allowing more armature current.
Increased armature current will increase the torque to satisfy the load requirement.
Hence, presence of the back emf makes a dc motor ‘self-regulating’.

Types of DC Motor

DC motors have a wide range of applications ranging from electric shavers to

automobiles. To cater to this wide range of applications, they are classified into different
types based on the field winding connections to the armature as:
 Permanent Magnet DC Motor
 Self-Excited DC Motor
 Separately-Excited DC Motor

Permanent Magnet DC Motor

The permanent magnet motors work by a permanent magnet to make a field flux. A PM
direct connection motor does not have a field winding on the stator frame. Instead, it uses
permanent magnets to provide a magnetic field against which the rotor field interacts to
produce torque.

This type of direct connection motor makes excellent starting torque, and it has good
speed regulation.

Self-Excited DC Motor

In self-excited DC motors, the field winding is connected either in series or parallel to the
armature winding. Based on this, the self-excited DC motor can further be classified as:
 Shunt wound DC motor
 Series wound DC motor
 Compound wound DC motor

Shunt Wound DC Motor

In a shunt wound motor, the field winding is connected parallel to the armature winding.
This DC motor type provide excellent speed regulation, as the shunt field can be excited
separately from the armature windings. This feature of shunt direct connection motors
provides simplified reversing controls.

Shunt Wound DC Motor

Series Wound DC Motor

In a series wound DC motor, the field winding is connected in series with the armature
winding. This DC motor type creates a large amount of starting torque, but it can’t
regulate speed, and even running with no load can damage it. Therefore, these limitations
make series DC motors, not a good option for variable speed drive applications.

Series Wound DC Motor

Compound Wound DC Motor

In a compound wound DC motor having both shunt and series field winding. The
compound motor is further divided into:
  Cumulative Compound Motor: Long-shunt and Short-shunt
 Differential Compound Motor
In a cumulative compound motor, the magnetic flux produced by both the windings is
in the same direction. In a differential compound motor, the flux produced by the series
field windings is opposite to the flux produced by the shunt field winding.

Long Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor

If the shunt field winding is parallel to both the armature winding and the series field
winding then it’s known as long shunt type compounded wound DC motor or simply
long shunt DC motor.

Long Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor

Short Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor

If the shunt field winding is only parallel to the armature winding and not the series field
winding then it’s known as short shunt type compound DC motor or simply short shunt
DC motor.

Short Shunt Compound Wound DC Motor

Separately-Excited Wound DC Motor

In a separately excited DC motor, the field coils are energized from an external source of
DC supply.

Separately Excited Wound DC Motor