Thread: AC motor?
View Single Post
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 04-02-2014, 12:01
Racer26 Racer26 is offline
Registered User
no team
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Beaverton, ON
Posts: 2,229
Racer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond reputeRacer26 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: AC motor?

Tons of options, but many household appliances use DC motors and power them from DC thats generated by some sort of power supply.

This is because AC motors are difficult to speed control. They're good for fixed speed operation (in say, a furnace blower, or a compressor for your fridge). The speed of an AC motor is related to the frequency of the AC current. PWM control like we use with DC motors in robotics applications doesn't really work with AC motors.

Depending on your application, its unlikely an AC motor is what you want if simple control of it is your goal. In most cases its simpler to use a DC motor with a rectified supply. Keep in mind though, that high-wattage supplies are expensive. If your motor will be pulling more than single digit amps, DC supplies with enough gusto are costly.