Understanding Electric Motors and Electric Motor Replacement in Columbia, TN
For most of us, flipping a switch to get power is really the extent of our knowledge when it comes to understanding the function of electrically powered equipment—until it stops working, that is. Even though you don’t need to be a trained electrician to use equipment with an electric motor, it can be helpful to understand the basics of the function of an electric motor. In addition to providing you with practical knowledge of the function of your machine, knowing how electric motors work might give you more insight when issues arise. If you’re concerned that your motor isn’t working the way it should be, you can always find help from professionals who provide electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN.
How electric motors work
Understanding the practical function of an electric motor requires some knowledge of the theory behind its operation. Say you bend a wire into a U-shaped loop so that there are two parallel wires running through a magnetic field. One wire sends the current traveling away from you, while the other sends the current back again. The current running through the wires flows in opposite directions in either wire, which causes the wires to move in opposite directions.
Plainly speaking, when the electricity is turned on, one wire will move upwards, while the other moves downwards. If the wire were able to sustain this movement, you could achieve a continuous rotation, which is necessary for the function of an electric motor. Unfortunately, the present configuration would cause the wires to tangle up. Not only that, but, without enough rotation, the coil would continuously reverse directions whenever it reached a vertical position.
In order to avoid the constant flipping of the coil’s rotation, there are a couple of things that can be done. One option is to use an electric current that periodically reverses the direction of the rotation. This is called an alternating current. The other option, commonly found in small household devices that use electric motors, is called a commutator. A commutator is essentially a metal ring, separated into two halves, that changes the direction of an electric current every time the coil rotates one half of a turn. Whichever option is used, the objective is to ensure that the coil is able to continuously rotate in one direction without its rotation being reversed.
Electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN
Understanding the precise function of an electric motor can be a bit confusing. Thankfully, our team at Action Electric Motor & Pump Repair can take care of the practical knowledge so that you don’t have to. We are a local, family-owned and operated business that has been providing the area with outstanding services, including electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN, for years. Our competitive prices, quality workmanship and superior customer service have given us an exceptional track record with our clients. If you want to find out more about the services that we provide or you need electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN, contact us today.
Categorised in: Electric Motor Replacement