How Does An Electric Engine Work

In all of our environments there are household appliances that are powered by electric motors. It is important to know how an electric motor works since in recent years its design and applications have been improving. In this way, its basic operation and its principles have evolved.

Electric motors are devices that work with alternating or direct electric current; which is one that its polarity varies according to time and is produced by current generators or alternators. Its polarity is fixed and is generally produced by cells or batteries. In other words, these currents are like the fuel that this type of motor needs to work.

Electric motors have the basic function of transforming or converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or movement; its basic principle is magnetism, alternators contribute a lot to this function.

The first electric motors were created by the engineer Moritz von Jacobi, first presented to the world in 1834, and since then, they have been given many applications. Today, in our home there are electric motors everywhere without realizing it, fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, blenders and much more. However, one of the most important inventions has been the incorporation of electric motors into cars.

Electric motors can be built in different sizes and shapes as required. These can also function in reverse as generators or alternators to produce current, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy.

In Spain there are different types and brands of cars with electric motors that are being sold more and more. These have many advantages but they also have disadvantages, hence the importance of knowing how these engines work to balance the pros and cons according to our needs.

It’s not just having a car, turning it on and driving, you have to know its basic operation to make the most of its capabilities. Remember that these cars work with rechargeable batteries with direct current electric motors and need a source of electrical energy for recharging, there are even hybrid cars.

However, there are also some more expensive models that have an internal recharging system incorporated that allows them to have more autonomy, but you should always keep in mind that an electric car has more components that require your supervision and maintenance than other types of cars. For example, in Spain electric cars need to have more recharging posts in all cities so that they can be recharged, if they have to.

These electric-powered cars represent the generation of cars of the future because they do not pollute the environment; they do not spend gasoline, making them a much more profitable vehicle in their maintenance, since this is increasingly expensive. In addition, they do not generate noise, like gasoline engines, which, if they are not well tuned, generate noise and gases that pollute the environment.

Instructions for an electric motor

Next we will explain in a simple way how an electric motor works:

1. First, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the most basic components that an electric motor has.
2. Therefore, an electric motor is formed mainly by electro-magnets.
3. An electro-magnet is a coil of copper wire with an iron core or center.
4. Passing electric current through this device creates a magnetic field.
5. Also, it is important to know the basic laws of magnetism to better understand how the electric motor works.
6. The laws of magnetism say that opposite poles attract and like poles repel. Because these materials being close produce this movement.
7. It should be said that the copper wire used to manufacture these coils has a very thin and insulating coating so that when current passes through it, a short circuit does not occur.

The strator and the rotor

1. The coils or electro-magnets are found in the electric motor in two basic parts that every motor has.
2. The basic parts of an electric motor are known as the stator and rotor.
3. The stator is the fixed part of the electric motor where the coils that form the electromagnets are located.
4. Generally, the strator is located on the outside that is called the casing or base.
5. The rotor is the part that is in motion, in some motors it has coils but in others it does not.
6. Some rotors have an iron core, and as in them, the movement that other elements need is generated.
7. The rotors are supported by the fixed casing at the ends, with bushings that allow it to rotate.
8. On the other hand, some manufacturers place ball bearings on the rotors that allow more resistance and longer duration.
9. The rotor can turn to the right or to the left, this depends on how the coils are placed.
10. Likewise, the force and speed also depends on the type of coils with which it is built and the voltage applied to them.

What do you need for an electric motor?

The basic components of electric motors are:

• Copper wire with its coating.
• Iron cores.
• Coils.
• Electro-magnets.
• Strator.
• Rotor.
• Bushings.
• Rollers.
• Alternating current.
• DC.

Tips for an electric motor

We will give you some recommendations for the proper handling of some electric motors:

• Electric motors are machines that generate force and heat, in some cases they suffer wear; therefore they must be checked frequently.
• Electric motors wear a lot on the bushings, causing the rotor to go sideways and lock up.
• Keep in mind that an electric motor that the rotor hits the stator produces noise and wear. This can work but the time comes when it gets stuck. Therefore, you must change the bushings to prevent it from seizing.
• If an electric motor stalls and stays stalled for a long time, the most likely thing is that the coils burn out.
• If an electric motor produces noise you should stop it immediately, disassemble it and repair it.
• For your safety, you should know that some electric motors are widely used as water pumps. If this pump’s seals are damaged, the water passes to the electric motor, damaging its ball bearings.
• Also, if the stator coils fill with water it can communicate current and can give you an  electric shock.
• It is important that you are always aware that your water pump does not drip water and does not make strange noises.
• Remember, at home we have electric motors everywhere. For example, fans are generally made with bushings, we always recommend disassembling and cleaning them.
• Dust and dirt cause the fans to lose strength until the blade gets stuck.
• This condition causes wear and tear and the fan can stall, until it overheats so much that it can even catch fire.
• In some cases, not only cleaning it solves the problem; bushings must be changed.
• If you replace the bushings, and the stator does not turn, you must change the stator as well, since it is most likely that it also suffered wear.

Something more about the electric motor

• There are workshops where you can have it rebuilt or rewind.
• This happens because the heat produced by the coil causes the coating that the wire comes from the factory to be damaged and causes a short circuit.
• One of the basic functions of the rotor is to produce air to cool the stator coil.
• Electric motors in blenders and vacuum cleaners use coils on the rotor.
• Remember, this is in order to give these motors more power and speed.
• On the other hand, the brushes or carbons supply electrical current to the electromagnets or cylinders that are rotating in the rotor.
• Therefore, we also recommend that you keep an eye on them when they wear out.
• Blender electric motors, like all others, also use bushings in the rotor.
• Therefore, these also wear out.
• Refrigerator compressors also use a sealed electric motor with a casing.
• However, these are designed to withstand high temperatures.
• Its bushings work with oil, which makes them last longer.
• Despite this, when they burn out, they must be replaced because there is no way to open them to repair them.