Brushed and Brushless motors. What the difference:
Brushed and Brushless DC Motors are two different types of electric motors. The main difference between them is the type of commutation they use:
Brushed DC Motors:
- Have physical brushes that make contact with the spinning rotor to provide electrical power
- Have simple and rugged construction, but suffer from limited lifespan of the brushes
- Are generally cheaper than brushless DC motors
Brushless DC Motors:
- Don't have physical brushes but use electronic commutation
- Have longer lifespan, higher efficiency and higher power-to-weight ratio compared to brushed DC motors
- Are more complex and expensive than brushed DC motors, but are more reliable and efficient in the long run.
- Hall Effect Sensors: Brushless motors use Hall Effect sensors to determine the position of the rotor and provide feedback to the controller.
- Electronic Commutation: The electronic controller uses the information from the Hall Effect sensors to determine the proper sequence of current to be supplied to the stator windings.
- Power MOSFETs or IGBTs: The controller uses power MOSFETs or IGBTs to switch the current supplied to the stator windings.
- PWM Signals: The controller uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to regulate the speed and torque of the motor by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signals.
- Input Signals: The controller receives input signals from a control source, such as a microcontroller, to set the desired speed and direction of the motor.
The precise method for controlling a brushless motor depends on the specific motor and controller used, but these steps provide a general overview of the process.
How to do you control a brush style motor
A brushed DC motor is controlled by regulating the voltage applied to its terminals. The following are the basic steps for controlling a brushed DC motor:
- Power Supply: A DC power supply is connected to the motor terminals to provide the electrical power needed to spin the motor.
- Speed Control: To control the speed of the motor, the voltage applied to the motor can be adjusted using a resistor or a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.
- Direction Control: To change the direction of rotation, the polarity of the voltage applied to the motor can be reversed.
- Feedback Control: In some cases, a feedback mechanism such as a tachometer or encoder may be used to monitor the speed of the motor and provide feedback to a controller, which can then adjust the voltage to maintain a constant speed.
In summary, controlling a brushed DC motor involves adjusting the voltage and polarity applied to its terminals to regulate its speed and direction.
How to do you control the speed of a brushless motor
The speed of a brushless DC motor is controlled by adjusting the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor. The following are the basic steps for controlling the speed of a brushless motor:
- Electronic Controller: An electronic controller is used to regulate the power supplied to the motor.
- PWM Signals: The controller uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to adjust the frequency of the power supplied to the motor. By changing the duty cycle of the PWM signals, the average voltage applied to the motor can be varied, which in turn affects its speed.
- Input Signals: The controller receives input signals from a control source, such as a microcontroller, to set the desired speed of the motor.
- Motor Feedback: In some cases, a feedback mechanism such as a tachometer or encoder may be used to monitor the speed of the motor and provide feedback to the controller, which can then adjust the PWM signals to maintain a constant speed.
In summary, controlling the speed of a brushless DC motor involves adjusting the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor using PWM signals and electronic control.
How to do you control the speed of a brushed motor
The speed of a brushed DC motor can be controlled by adjusting the voltage applied to its terminals. The following are the basic steps for controlling the speed of a brushed DC motor:
- Power Supply: A DC power supply is connected to the motor terminals to provide the electrical power needed to spin the motor.
- Speed Control: To control the speed of the motor, the voltage applied to the motor can be adjusted using a resistor or a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The lower the voltage applied to the motor, the slower it will rotate.
- Input Signals: The voltage applied to the motor can be controlled by input signals from a control source, such as a microcontroller, to set the desired speed.
- Feedback Control: In some cases, a feedback mechanism such as a tachometer or encoder may be used to monitor the speed of the motor and provide feedback to a controller, which can then adjust the voltage to maintain a constant speed.
In summary, controlling the speed of a brushed DC motor involves adjusting the voltage applied to its terminals, either directly or by using a feedback mechanism to regulate its speed.
What type of controller do you need for a brushless motor
A brushless DC motor requires an electronic controller, often referred to as an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), to regulate the power supplied to the motor. The ESC is responsible for the following tasks:
- Monitoring the position of the rotor: Brushless motors use Hall Effect sensors to determine the position of the rotor and provide feedback to the controller.
- Commutation: The controller uses the information from the Hall Effect sensors to determine the proper sequence of current to be supplied to the stator windings.
- Power switching: The controller uses power MOSFETs or IGBTs to switch the current supplied to the stator windings.
- Speed control: The controller uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to regulate the speed and torque of the motor by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signals.
- Input signals: The controller receives input signals from a control source, such as a microcontroller, to set the desired speed and direction of the motor.
In summary, a brushless DC motor requires an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) to regulate the power supplied to the motor and control its speed and torque.
How do you wire a brushless motor to a switch
A typical way to control a brushed motor is to use a Rocker switch. On the bottom of your switch you will see 6 connectors, as seen below, that will line up with the circuit diagram of the DPDT switch above. If the switch is pressed to the forward position, the top and middle connectors will be connected inside the switch; if the switch is pressed to the back position, the bottom and middle connectors will be connected; and if the switch is in the middle position, the switch is open.
Below is a wiring diagram showing 2 brushed motors connected to a switch
A wiring diagram of the back of a rocker switch is shown below
Which is more expensive, a brushed or brushless motor
In general, brushless DC motors are more expensive than brushed DC motors. The cost difference can be attributed to the complexity of the brushless motor system, which requires additional components such as an electronic controller (ESC) and Hall Effect sensors. The ESC and sensors add to the cost of the system, as does the more sophisticated manufacturing process required for brushless motors.
However, despite their higher upfront cost, brushless motors often offer several advantages over brushed motors, including higher efficiency, longer lifespan, and better performance, particularly in high-speed and high-torque applications. As a result, the higher cost of brushless motors can often be offset by their lower operating costs and improved reliability.
In conclusion, the cost of brushed and brushless motors varies depending on the specific application and requirements. Brushless motors are generally more expensive upfront, but they may offer better performance and lower operating costs in the long run.