Electrical Motor | Types

Classification and History of

Motor
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Electrical Motor
The motor or an electrical motor is a device that has brought about one
of the biggest advancements in the fields of engineering and technology
ever since the invention of electricity. A motor is nothing but an electromechanical device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.
Its because of motors, life is what it is today in the 21st century. Without
motor we had still been living in Sir Thomas Edisons Era where the only
purpose of electricity would have been to glow bulbs. There are different
types of motor have been developed for different specific purposes. In
simple words we can say a device that produces rotational force is a
motor. The very basic principal of functioning of an electrical motor lies
on the fact that force is experienced in the direction perpendicular to
magnetic field and the current, when field and current are made to
interact with each other.
Ever since the invention of motors, a lot of advancements has taken place
in this field of engineering and it has become a subject of extreme
importance for modern engineers. This particular webpage takes into
consideration, the above mentioned fact and provides a detailed
description on all major electrical motors and motoring parts being used
in the present era.

Classification or Types of Motor

The primary classification of motor or types of motor can be

tabulated as shown below,

History of Motor
In the year 1821 British scientist Michael Faraday explained the
conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy by placing a
current carrying conductor in a magnetic field which resulted in the
rotation of the conductor due to torque produced by the mutual action of
electrical current and field. Based on his principal the most primitive of
machines a D.C.(direct current) machine was designed by another British
scientist William Sturgeon in the year 1832. But his model was overly
expensive and wasnt used for any practical purpose. Later in the year
1886 the first electrical motor was invented by scientist Frank Julian
Sprague. That was capable of rotating at a constant speed under a varied
range of load, and thus derived motoring action.
INDEX DC Motor Synchronous Motor 3 Phase Induction Motor 1 Phase
Induction Motor Special Types of Motor Among the four basic

classification of motors mentioned above the DC motor as the name

suggests, is the only one that is driven by direct current. Its the most
primitive version of the electric motor where rotating torque is produced
due to flow of current through the conductor inside a magnetic field. Rest
all are AC electrical motors, and are driven by alternating current, for e.g.
the synchronous motor, which always runs at synchronous speed. Here
the rotor is an electro - magnet which is magnetically locked with stator
rotating magnetic field and rotates with it. The speed of these machines
are varied by varying the frequency (f) and number of poles (P), as N s =
120 f/P.
In another type of AC motor where rotating magnetic field cuts the rotor
conductors, hence circulating current induced in these short circuited
rotor conductors. Due to interaction of the magnetic field and these
circulating currents the rotor starts rotates and continues its rotation. This
is induction motor which is also known as asynchronous motor runs at a
speed lesser than synchronous speed, and the rotating torque, and speed
is governed by varying the slip which gives the difference between

synchronous speed Ns , and rotor speed speed Nr,

It runs
governing the principal of EMF induction due to varying flux density,
hence the name induction machine comes. Single phase induction motor
like a 3 phase, runs by the principal of emf induction due to flux, but the
only difference is, it runs on single phase supply and its starting methods
are governed by two well established theories, namely the Double
Revolving field theory and the Cross field theory.
Apart from the four basic types of motor mentioned above, there are
several types Of special electrical motors like Linear Induction
motor(LIM),Stepper motor, Servo motor etc with special features that has
been developed according to the needs of the industry or for a particular
particular gadget like the use of hysteresis motor in hand watches
because of its compactness.

Classification of Electrical Motors

written by: sriram balu edited by: KennethSleight updated: 8/30/2011
Do you know how many types of electrical motors are there? Read to know about these motors
which are commonly used in households as well as different industries.

Introduction
We all know that without electricity, we cannot do any of our job. If we look into the world we live
in, the major development in technology and civilization took place only after the introduction of
electricity and electrical devices. Can we imagine a life with out air conditioners/ceiling fans, lights,
computers and communication devices and many more.
So it is quiet evident that electricity and electrical equipments play a vital role in every inch of our
life. One such equipment which created a giant leap to the mankind in both domestic & industrial
sectors is the "Motor". The usage of AC motors is much more prevalent than DC motors due to

several practical reasons which we shall learn later on.

A.C. Motors are playing a very vital role in everyday life, right from pumping water to overhead
tank to modern robot's manoeuvring arm. The main factor which lead to the adoption & wide usage
in various fields is its flexibility and its huge variety which can be matched with almost any kind of
demand. To know what are the different types of A.C.Motors available, to match it perfectly with
the demand, it is highly essential to know about the different classifications of A.C.Motors.

Types of AC Motors

(a) Synchronous Motors.

1. Plain

Classification Based On Principle Of Operation:

2. Super
(b) Asynchronous Motors.
1. Induction Motors:
(a) Squirrel Cage
(b) Slip-Ring (external resistance).
2. Commutator Motors:
(a) Series
(b) Compensated
(c) Shunt
(d) Repulsion
(e) Repulsion-start induction
(f) Repulsion induction

Classification Based On Type Of Current:

1. Single Phase
2. Three Phase

Classification Based On Speed Of Operation:

1. Constant Speed.
2. Variable Speed.
3. Adjustable Speed.

1. Open
2. Enclosed
3. Semi-enclosed
4. Ventilated
5. Pipe-ventilated
6. Riveted frame-eye etc..

Classification Based On Structural Features: