Definition of electric motors and how they work
Many of us are familiar with the term electric motor,
but most of us are probably unaware of the variety of everyday devices
in which they are found. So, if we first explain what an
electric motor is and how it works, then its different areas of application
will become much clearer.
Industrial electric motors convert electrical energy
into mechanical energy and can therefore be used to power
a wide variety of devices. From the electric toothbrush to automobiles,
aircraft, and spacecraft. As can be
deduced from this information, electric motors exist for devices of all sizes.
Several mathematicians, physicists, and inventors have contributed to the development of the electric motor as we know it today. Starting with Hans Christian Ørsted, who observed as early as 1820 that, if you let current flow through a conductor, a magnetic field can be built up. Just over 10 years later, in 1834, Moritz Herman Jacobi developed the first rotary electric motor. Although it only had an output of 15 W, it was a forerunner of the electric motor, which gradually replaced other types of drives from 1866 onwards.
From this brief historical digression, it is clear
that electric motors are directly related to magnets. So
let's take a closer look at the components:
A simple industrial electric motor made of permanent magnets
is based on the basic principles of magnetism:
The same poles repel each other.
Opposite poles attract
A non-magnetic part can be suddenly magnetized
with an electric current
In our motor, which can be an industrial electric motor,
for example, we have a magnetic stator that is fixed and a non-magnetic
rotor that can move. The rotor is magnetized by the power
supply. If the stator is positively charged and the rotor is now also
positively charged, they both push, and the rotor can rotate due to
this energy. This movement and change of polarity mean that
the electric motor is always in motion.
This is, of course, the simplified principle to
illustrate how it works. There are now various models that are used for
different sectors and applications. There are single-phase and
three-phase electric motors, which of course differ slightly in their design and mode
of operation.
As already mentioned, functional motors with
electricity are found in a wide variety of devices and make our
daily lives easier. From very simple everyday helpers such as
washing machines or electric toothbrushes, which of course use smaller motors,
to powerful models for industry and transport. They simply
offer numerous advantages and that is exactly why they are so popular:
The structure is much simpler compared to
internal combustion engines, and has many advantages:
Work almost silently
- They are much more environmentally friendly and emit fewer
emissions.
