How to Wire a 24-Volt DC Motor

A 24-volt DC motor is commonly used in solar-power applications. These units take the place of 120-volt AC units in common appliances such as washing machines, fans and dishwashers. Motors of this type come in a variety of configurations. Some use permanent magnets for field coils, others use wire-wound field coils. Some units allow the user to configure how the armature and field coil is wired. By changing the wiring configuration, you change the running characteristics of the motor.

Things You'll Need

• 2 12-volt batteries
• Red 12-gauge electrical wire
• Black 12-gauge electrical wire
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers

Instructions

1. Determine whether the motor has two of four connection terminals. If it has two terminals, the motor has permanent field coil magnets or the field coil is connected directly to the armature in series or parallel. In this situation, connect the positive terminal of the motor to the positive terminal of battery #1.

2. Connect the negative terminal of battery #1 to the positive terminal of battery #2. Connect the negative terminal of battery #2 to the negative terminal of the motor. If the motor has four terminals, connect two terminals to the armature and two terminals to the field coils.

3. Check the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper way to connect the armature and the field coil. Depending on what configuration is used, the terminals that the batteries must be connected to will change.

References

• National Instruments: DC Shunt Motors