DC motors worksheet

Aims and objectives

At the end of this activity, you should be able to:
label the main parts of a simple d.c. motor
describe the basic operating principles of a d.c. motor
complete a basic calculation for the force on a conductor

Instructions
Task 1
Use the Internet and your text book to label the main parts of the d.c. motor.
Task 2
Complete the gaps in the following text about a d.c. motor, using the words in the box below.

Movement in a d.c. motor is created by the interaction of two _________________. One

magnetic field is permanent and is between the fixed magnetic _________________. The

other magnetic field is created when the d.c. supply is switched on and current flows around

the _________________. The induced armature magnetic field _________________ with

the permanent pole pair magnetic field and movement occurs. The direction of movement is

determined using Flemings _________________ rule. The _________________ finger on

the left hand is lined up with the pole pair magnetic field. The second finger on the

_________________ hand is lined up with the direction of current flow. The

_________________ will then point in the direction the armature will move. The force the

armature conductor will experience is determined by the _________________, the

_________________ of the armature conductor and the _________________ of the

magnet.

To keep the armature moving in the same direction a _________________ is used. The

commutator moves around with the armature and maintains contact with the supply by a set

of _____________ ______________. The commutator _________________ are insulated

from each other. The commutator acts as a switch that changes the _________________ of

the current flow every half turn.

_________________ is used for the brush as it has two useful properties.

It self-_________________

It has a _________________ temperature coefficient as it heats up with friction,

resistance goes _________________.

The formula for force on a conductor is given by: _________________.

armature Carbon carbon brushes commutator

current down F=BIL first
left left-hand length lubricates
magnetic fields negative polarity pole pairs
reacts segments strength thumb

Task 3
A 3m armature conductor winding is placed in a 4T magnetic pole pair when a 3A supply
current is switched on. What force will the conductor experience?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Task 4
Complete the summary table on the next page for d.c. motors, using the Internet and your
textbook for guidance.

d.c. motor Applications

types

How do they reverse direction?