10 Electric Motors 1 Electric Motors 1.1 Overview An electric motor is an electromechanical device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The reverse process of producing electrical energy from mechanical energy is performed by a generator. The operating demands of the electric motor, especially in industry, have been enormous. Robustness, reliability, size, energy effi ciency, and price are only some of these criteria. The diff ering needs have resulted in the development of diff erent types of electric motors. The following diagram gives a general overview of the most commonly used electric motor technologies.
With permanent magnet DC Without permanent magnet Aluminium rotor Electric motor Asynchronous Induction motor Copper rotor AC Synchronous reluctance Reluctance Switched reluctance Synchronous BLDC (EC) Interior mounted magnets Permanent magnet Surface mounted magnets Fig. 1.1 Overview of the most common electric motor technologies