The Different Types of Industrial Motors and Their Uses

Many industries rely on heavy-duty equipment to keep the gears turning. Whether you build automobiles or craft machine parts, industrial motors move products down the line. Here are the different types of industrial motors and their uses.

Alternating Current Motors

There are two standard motors: alternating current and direct current motors. Alternating current (AC) motors are flexible, offering technicians variable speeds and adjustable torque.

Synchronous AC Motors

Synchronous AC motors rely on the unique connection of electricity and mechanics. The current frequency and the motor rotation create a synchronicity. With the help of electromagnets, these motors respond to the provided current, rotating at speeds equivalent to the current strength. Highly efficient, you can find synchronous AC motors in large electrical generators, where they manage power losses and maintain electrical efficiency.

Asynchronous AC Motors

Asynchronous AC motors—also known as induction AC motors—rely on electromagnetic induction to turn the rotors. These motors induce an electromagnetic field in the rotor that reacts with the stator’s rotating magnetic field. They are asynchronous because each field moves at a different rate when creating torque. Induction AC motors are common in industrial plants that utilize heavy-duty lifting gear.

Direct Current Motors

DC motors take direct current electricity and turn it into mechanical energy via electrically conductive coils. These coils turn round via electromagnetic forces to create torque.

Brushed DC Motors

Brushed DC motors are electromagnetic motors that operate with an enhanced power source. The work of the brushes in such a motor works in tandem with the rest of the system. The stator in a DC motor creates a constant magnetic field that rotates the coils when technicians introduce electricity. The brushes create contact between the power source and the coils, so no rotational movement disrupts the flow. You can find brushed DC motors in many industrial hoists and cranes.

Brushless DC Motors

As opposed to the brushed models, brushless DC motors operate without those contact-sustaining brushes. Since brushes wear out and need replacing—not to mention their propensity for sparking—many plant managers opt for brushless motors. Surrounded by a permanent magnet in the rotor, the stator holds several coils in a circle. These coils create electromagnetic forces that drive movement from the inside out. You can find brushless DC motors in machines like industrial presses.

Knowing the different types of industrial motors and their uses equips plant managers to make the most of their industrial processes. Our team at Illinois Electric Works is here to help. As a premier electric motor distributor, we can find the best solution for your industrial needs.