What are the 11 Most Common Types of Electrical Motors?

Electric motors are integral to modern technology, powering everything from household appliances to industrial machinery. From a brushless DC motor to an AC motor, having a keen understanding of the different types of electric motors will help you select the right motor for your specific application.

In this guide, our experts at BCB Sales & Service cover some of the most common types of electric motors, highlighting their unique features, operating principles, and typical uses.

Different Types of Electric Motors

1. DC Series Motor

DC series motors have rotor windings connected with the field windings. These motors operate on the principle that a magnetic field created around a conductor will interact with an external field to produce rotational motion. The design is especially useful for applications requiring high starting torque, such as elevator systems and automotive starters.

2. DC Shunt Motor

DC shunt motors operate on direct current (DC) and feature armature and field windings connected in parallel, forming a shunt. The specifications allow the motor to maintain a constant speed regardless of load variations, making them well-known for their stable performance.

3. DC Compound Motor

DC compound motors combine elements of both DC series and shunt motors, incorporating both series and shunt windings. This hybrid design provides the high starting torque of series motors and the speed stability of shunt motors. The series winding, with its few turns of thick copper wire, offers low resistance, while the shunt winding, with many turns of thinner wire, receives full input voltage.

4. Separately Excited Motor

Separately excited motors have their stator and rotor connected to separate power supplies. Operating with this configuration allows for precise control over the motor's operation, making it possible to adjust the shunt and armature windings independently for optimal performance. Such motors are ideal for applications requiring fine control over speed and torque.

5. Permanent Magnet DC Motor (PMDC Motor)

Permanent Magnet DC (PMDC) motors use permanent magnets to create the magnetic field needed for operation. They are simpler in design and offer reliable performance, making them suitable for various applications, such as compact and efficient devices.

6. Synchronous Motor

Synchronous motors run on a three-phase AC supply. The stator creates a rotating magnetic field that moves at a constant speed determined by the AC frequency. The rotor matches this speed exactly, resulting in no speed difference or slip. Such precise rotational speed makes synchronous motors ideal for applications in automation and robotics.

7. Stepper Motor

Stepper motors are designed for precise control, providing incremental angular movements rather than continuous rotation. These motors divide a full 360-degree rotation into smaller steps, such as 18 steps of 10 degrees each, making them ideal for applications requiring precise positioning, like plotters and process control tools.

8. Brushless DC Motor

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are engineered to deliver high performance in a compact size, eliminating the need for a commutator and slip rings. These motors integrate a controller to manage their operation, resulting in low maintenance and high efficiency. BLDC motors are popular in applications that demand reliable and precise performance.

9. Hysteresis Motor

Hysteresis motors function by inducing hysteresis and eddy currents in the rotor. They can operate on both single-phase and three-phase supplies, providing smooth and stable performance akin to synchronous motors. Their quiet operation makes them ideal for use in audio equipment and sound recorders.

10. Reluctance Motor

Reluctance motors are single-phase synchronous motors that share a similar construction with induction motors, featuring a squirrel cage rotor. The stator includes auxiliary and main windings, with the auxiliary winding aiding in motor startup. These motors deliver stable speeds and smooth operation, making them suitable for synchronisation tasks like signal generators.

11. Universal Motor

Universal motors are unique in their ability to run on both AC and DC power supplies. These series-wound motors connect the field and armature windings in series, producing high starting torque. Designed for high-speed operation, often exceeding 3500 RPM, universal motors are efficient on both AC at lower speeds and DC of similar voltage.

Explore Our Selection of Electric Motors Available Online

Discover a wide range of electric motors available online for various applications, from industrial machinery to household devices. Browse our selection to find the perfect motor, or contact our friendly team for more information.