Table of Contents

Basic Principles of DC Motors 1

Introduction 1

Working principle 1
Types of DC motors 1
Self-Excited DC Motor 1

Shunt Wound DC Motor 2

Series Wound DC Motor 2

Compound Wound DC Motor 3

Separately Excited DC Motor 3

Brushed DC Motor vs Brushless DC Motor 4

Construction of DC Motors 4

Major Components 4

Working of DC Motors 6

DC Motor Efficiency 6
Introduction 6

Types of Losses in DC Motors 7

Factors Affecting Efficiency 7

Solved Questions on DC Motors 8

Simulation in LTspice 9
Basic Principles of DC Motors
Introduction
DC motors are widely used in various applications due to their ability to convert
electrical energy into mechanical energy efficiently. The operation of a DC
motor is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When a current-
carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a mechanical
force, which drives the motion of the motor.

Working Principle
The interaction between the magnetic field produced by the stator and the
current in the armature winding generates a torque that causes rotation. By
varying the input voltage or current, the speed and torque of the motor can be
controlled.

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:
 Self-Excited DC Motor
 Separately Excited DC Motor
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
as shown in the figure.
Series Wound DC Motor

In a series wound DC motor, the field winding is connected in series with the
armature winding as shown in the figure.
Compound Wound DC Motor

DC motors having both shunt and series field winding is known as Compound
DC motor, as shown in the figure. The compound motor is further divided into:
 Cumulative Compound Motor
 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.
Separately Excited DC Motor

In a separately excited DC motor, the field coils are energised from an external
source of DC supply as shown in the figure.
Brushed DC Motor vs Brushless DC Motor

A brushless DC motor, also known as synchronous DC motor, unlike brushed DC

motors, do not have a commutator. The commutator in a brushless DC motor is
replaced by an electronic servomechanism that can detect and adjust the angle
of the rotor.
A brushed DC motor features a commutator that reverses the current every
half cycle and creates single direction torque. While brushed DC motors remain
popular, many have been phased out for more efficient brushless models in
recent years.

Construction of DC Motors
DC motors consist of several key components, each playing a crucial role in
their operation:
Major Components
1. Stator:
o The stationary part of the motor that provides the magnetic field.
o Made of laminated steel cores to reduce eddy current losses.
o In permanent magnet DC motors, the stator contains permanent
magnets instead of windings.
2. Rotor (Armature):
o The rotating part of the motor.
 o Contains windings where current flows, creating a magnetic field
that interacts with the stator field to produce torque.
o Constructed with laminated steel cores to minimize eddy current
losses and improve efficiency.
3. Commutator:
o A cylindrical assembly of copper segments insulated from one
another.
o Works as a mechanical rectifier, ensuring the current in the
armature winding flows in a way that generates unidirectional
torque.
o Attached to the rotor and rotates along with it.
4. Brushes:
o Typically made of carbon or graphite.
o Serve as the contact points between the stationary external circuit
and the rotating commutator.
o Allow current to flow into the armature windings.
5. Field Windings or Magnets:
o Generate the magnetic field required for motor operation.
o In wound-field motors, these are copper coils wrapped around
pole cores.
o In permanent magnet motors, strong permanent magnets replace
the field windings.
6. Bearings:
o Support the rotor and allow smooth rotation.
o Minimize friction and mechanical losses.
7. Frame (Yoke):
o Provides mechanical support to the motor components.
o Acts as a protective casing and helps in completing the magnetic
circuit.
 o Typically made of cast iron or steel.

Working of DC Motors
The working of a DC motor involves the following steps:
1. Current Flow: Electric current flows through the armature winding via
the brushes and commutator.
2. Magnetic Interaction: The magnetic field from the field windings
interacts with the current in the armature to produce a force.
3. Rotation: This force causes the rotor to turn, converting electrical energy
into mechanical energy.
4. Continuous Operation: The commutator ensures that the current
direction in the armature winding changes to maintain unidirectional
rotation.

Applications of DC Motors
DC motors are versatile and find applications in various domains:
 Series DC Motors: Suitable for traction systems like trains and cranes.
 Shunt DC Motors: Used in fans, blowers, and pumps.
 Compound DC Motors: Ideal for heavy machinery like rolling mills.
 Permanent Magnet DC Motors: Common in electric vehicles and small
robotics.

DC Motor Efficiency
Introduction
DC motor efficiency measures how effectively the motor converts electrical
energy into mechanical energy.
Efficiency is expressed as:
Output power
Efficiency(η)= Input power ×100 %
Types of Losses in DC Motors
Efficiency is influenced by various losses that occur in a DC motor, including:
1. Copper Losses:
o Caused by the resistance of the windings.
o Proportional to I2RI^2R, where II is the current and RR is the
resistance.
2. Iron (Core) Losses:
o Due to the alternating magnetic field in the core.
o Includes hysteresis and eddy current losses.
3. Mechanical Losses:
o Includes friction at bearings and windage losses caused by air
resistance.
4. Brush Losses:
o Arise from the contact resistance between brushes and the
commutator.
5. Stray Losses:
o Minor losses due to leakage flux and other imperfections.
Factors Affecting Efficiency
1. Motor Load: Efficiency is highest when the motor operates near its rated
load.
2. Quality of Materials: High-quality copper and magnetic materials reduce
losses.
3. Maintenance: Regular cleaning and lubrication reduce mechanical
losses.
4. Design: Optimized motor design minimizes stray losses and improves
performance.

Solved Question on DC Motor

Problem Statement
A DC motor draws an input power of 500 W and delivers an output power of
400 W. Calculate the efficiency of the motor.
Solution
Given:
 Input Power P¿= 500 W
 Output Power Pout = 400 W
Using the formula for efficiency:
500
Efficiency(η)= 400 × 100 %

η = 80%
Thus, the efficiency of the motor is 80%.

Question : A 440-V motor has armature resistance of 0.8Ω and field resistance
of 200 Ω . Determine the back e.m.f . when giving an output of 7.46 kW at 85 %
efficiency.
3
7.46 ×10
Solution - Motor input power =
0.85
7460
Motor input current = 0.85 × 440= 19.95 A

I sh= 440/200 = 2.2 A

I a = 19.95 − 2.2 = 17.75 A

Now, Eb =v −I a Ra
Eb = 440 (17.75 × 0.8) = 425.8 V

Simulation of DC MOTOR in LTSPICE :