Motor (left)

Motor (left)

Motor (left)

This topic focuses on Fleming's Left-Hand Rule as applied to electric motors.

An electric motor converts:

electrical energy → mechanical energy

A current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field experiences forces on opposite sides.

These forces form a turning effect, or torque, that rotates the coil.

Fleming's Left-Hand Rule

First finger → magnetic field.

Second finger → current.

Thumb → force/motion.

Split-Ring Commutator

In a simple d.c. motor, a split-ring commutator reverses current in the coil every half-turn.

This allows the turning effect to continue in the same rotational direction.

Brushes

Carbon brushes maintain electrical contact with the rotating commutator.

Increasing Motor Torque

Torque can be increased by:

increasing current; using a stronger magnetic field; increasing number of coil turns; increasing coil area.

Motor (left) — Advanced