How DC Electric Motors Work

Introduction

An electric motor is a device that uses electricity to produce mechanical energy. The energy in an electric current causes the electric motor to spin. Any devices attached to the motor can then take advantage of this spinning motion to create another type of motion. Some motors are powered by direct current (DC), which is the more basic of the two main types of current.

Creating an Electromagnet

When electricity flows through a coiled wire, it produces a magnetic field. The coiled wire is then called an electromagnet. The electromagnet is the core of the electric motor. Like all magnets, it has a north pole and a south pole.

Turning the Electromagnet

In order to turn the electromagnet, it is placed between the arms of a horseshoe-shaped magnet. The north pole of the electromagnet is pulled towards the south pole of the horseshoe magnet, and the south pole of the electromagnet is pulled towards the north pole of the horseshoe magnet. Once the magnet is in this position, it will stop unless something else changes.

Spinning the Electromagnet

To enable the electromagnet to keep on spinning, a commutator is attached to the electromagnet. In a DC motor, the commutator alternates the direction in which the electric current flows into the coiled wire, thereby switching the north and south poles on the electromagnet every fraction of a second. Therefore, the electromagnet continues to spin. This motion causes the electromagnet to act as a motor, and the motion can be perpetuated to electric devices.