A Practical Primer On Motor Drives (Part 10): Motor Background
by Ken Johnson, Teledyne LeCroy, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y, How2Power Today, Nov 15 2016
Focus:
A knowledge of how the load (i.e. the motor) works is critical to understanding motor drives.
This part begins that discussion, providing an overview of the popular motor types and the
basics of how motors work. It begins with some general comments on what elements are common to
different motor types, identifies the major categories—ac induction motors (ACIMs), ac (wound-
rotor) synchronous motors (ACSMs), (brushed) dc motors, brushless dc (BLDC) motors and
permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs)— and discusses energy usage by motors and related
energy efficiency standards. Then basic motor operation is explained, starting with the simple
one rotating-stator magnetic field and one rotor magnetic pole single rotor, and then
progressing to descriptions of motors with multiple stator poles and slots and a two pole-pair
rotor. Finally, the four quadrants of motor operation are explained.
What you’ll learn:
- How to understand how motors work (basic principles for motors of varying complexity) motor operation
- How to understand the importance of motor energy consumption and the relevant energy efficiency standards
- How to understand the four quadrants of motor operation
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