Brushed DC Motors

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How Does a Brushed DC Motor Work?

A brushed DC permanent magnet electric motor generates motion by running direct electric current through an armature coil attached to the motor’s rotor. This current creates a magnetic field that attracts and repels permanent magnets attached to the stator. Every half turn the commutator reverses the direction of the current, making the magnetic field reverse, forcing the motor to make another half rotation. This interaction creates continuous rotation that is perfect for a wide range of applications. In broader terms, a motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Brushed motors are popular for their simplicity. Unlike brushless dc motors (BLDC Motors) that need a specialty speed controller, a standard dc electric motor has two terminals, a positive and negative. The dc electric motor is driven by applying voltage directly to the terminals. The direction of rotation can be reversed by reversing the wiring polarity on the motor’s terminals. This makes brushed motors easy to integrate into any application. Brushed DC motor controllers are used for speed control when needed, while being rather simplistic.

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A Solution for Any Application

ISL offers motors in a wide range of sizes, from the mini electric hobby motor to micro-gear motors to the larger worm gear motors found inside of pallet jacks. Brushed motors are frequently paired with a spur gearbox or planetary gearboxes for increased torque. It’s important to know your on load torque and stall torque requirements to determine if a gearbox is required. Typically, smaller dc motors will have a rated supply voltage of 3V ~6V and larger size motors will operate at a voltage of 12V – 48V, with 12V and 24V being the most widely utilized.

For more sophisticated applications where you need full control of speed, there are simple brushed dc motor controllers that can be used. We can offer unique value-added options for applications where electrical noise (EMI) is a concern. When using a battery as a power source, the motor’s current consumption will become a key factor in determining your useful battery life. Their simplicity results in lower price-tags, making brushed motors an economical choice for a wide variety of devices.

ISL Products superior motors results in high torque density, superior performance and a value-added motor provides you with the optimal solution. Contact our team of design engineers today to learn more about our dc motor product offering.