Nowadays, there are two types of motor mostly used in industry: AC Motor (alternating current) and DC Motor (direct current).
What are the differences between these two motor types?
All motors work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, but the similarities end there for AC and DC motors. AC motors are powered by connecting directly to a power source. DC motors are powered through the use of a battery or a converter. The speed of the motors is also controlled differently.
The speed of AC motor is controlled by varying the frequency, while the speed of a DC motor is controlled through the current. DC Motors are continuous actuators that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The DC motor achieves this by producing a continuous angular rotation that can be used to rotate pumps, fans, compressors, wheels, etc.
A DC motor is by far the preferred motor in many applications today, from electric trains to cranes to elevators, and are definitely the choice for ceiling fans. DC motors and controllers are often the low-cost option when compared to inverter-duty AC motors and drives.
AC Motors are generally used in high power single or multi-phase industrial applications were a constant rotational torque and speed is required to control large loads such as fans or pumps. One of the most notable is that AC motors require less maintenance.
