Although the back EMF waveform of a brushless DC (BLDC) motor is theoretically trapezoidal, in reality, inductance in the motor smooths the back EMF into a more sinusoidal shape. This is why BLDC motors can use either trapezoidal or sinusoidal commutation methods. While trapezoidal commutation is the simpler of the two methods, it produces significant […]
DC Motors
FAQ: Why are starters used with DC motors?
Starters are used to protect DC motors from damage that can be caused by very high current and torque during startup. They do this by providing external resistance to the motor, which is connected in series to the motor’s armature winding and restricts the current to an acceptable level. To see why DC motors experience high […]
FAQ: When to use a DC drive vs an AC flux-vector drive
DC drives are known for their ability to provide tight speed control and full torque at any speed, whereas traditional AC drives had a more narrow speed range and limited torque control. But newer AC drives using vector control, also known as field oriented control (FOC), have performance similar to DC motor and drive systems. Through […]
Water-resistant dc motor from RAE DC Products
Model M7000 permanent magnetic DC motors from RAE DC Products provide the protection needed to operate in water and dust operating environments. These motors feature IEC IP56 enclosure that includes O-rings between both endbells and frame for internal protection. A watertight lead wire strain-relief completes the package for the maximum service life. More after the […]
New 17-mm, high-torque miniature DC motor from Portescap
Portescap expands the newly launched DCT range of Athlonix™ Brush DC motors with the introduction of the 17DCT brush dc mini motor. The 17DCT motor features Portescap’s energy efficient coreless design with an optimized self-supporting coil and magnetic circuit that enables higher performance in a compact 17-mm diameter size. With high torque carrying capabilities reaching […]
MICROMO announces the next generation of motion controllers
Updated July 18, 2016 with new links || MICROMO launches the new MC3/MCS motion control family. The new controllers are optimized for use with FAULHABER motor technologies, offer electronics for simple operation with state-of-the-art interfaces for multi-axis applications and provide a motion control system solution with the most compact integration into industrial grade housing. These high […]
STMicroelectronics reveals world’s smallest motor drivers
With the expansion of portable technology in everyday life, new tiny, low-power electric-motor drivers from STMicroelectronics, are enabling sophisticated battery-powered equipment to become smaller and more mobile with extended runtime. Controlling the motors at the heart of devices like portable medical pumps and drivers, personal wellness devices, portable point-of-sale devices, miniature robots, surveillance equipment, precision […]
TI spins automotive brushless DC motors with two new motor drivers
Texas Instruments introduced two new automotive motor drivers that support high-performance powertrain applications. The DRV8305-Q1, a highly integrated three-phase brushless DC gate driver, and the UCC27211A-Q1, a high-current half-bridge gate driver, improve system performance and provide design flexibility to meet a diverse range of automotive system requirements. For powertrain applications such as transmission pumps or […]
FAQ: What are servo pancake motors and how do they work?
Traditional brushed DC motors are cylindrical in shape and have a stator with permanent magnets surrounding an armature made of windings. Cylindrical motors have a radial air gap and magnetic flux, with current running axially along the length of the motor. A special variation of the DC motor, known as a printed armature motor or […]
FAQ: What is trapezoidal back EMF?
The primary distinction between brushless DC (BLDC) motors and brushless AC (BLAC) motors is their back EMF waveform. BLDC motors typically have a trapezoidal back EMF, while BLAC motors (also referred to as permanent magnet synchronous motors, or PMSM) have a sinusoidal back EMF. The shape of a motor’s back EMF is important, because it […]