Why aren't the coils in electric motors insulated?

Xyius

In all the electric motors I have taken apart, the coils on the armature have never been insulated. This has always confused me because, how could the coil make a sufficient magnetic field if it shorts out to the adjacent wires from lack of insulation?

*DaveC426913*

Are you sure they're not coated in a thin layer of clear sheathing?

Xyius

Quote by DaveC426913

Are you sure they're not coated in a thin layer of clear sheathing?

I have suspected that but I do not know for sure. I was wondering if anyone else could confirm. :]

Hassan2

They are insulated with a think transparent layer of insulator.

TurtleMeister

Quote by Hassan2

They are insulated with a think transparent layer of insulator.

No, I don't think it's transparent.

Magnet wire is coated with a thin layer of enamel. The color is usually gold, making it appear similar to bare copper. It also comes in other colors, such as red and green.

Xyius

Cool thanks guys!

Hassan2

Quote by TurtleMeister

No, I don't think it's transparent.

Magnet wire is coated with a thin layer of enamel. The color is usually gold, making it appear similar to bare copper. It also comes in other colors, such as red and green.

Thanks a lot. Do you know how to remove the insulation before soldering? Or is it removed by the heat while soldering? I usually use flame to remove the insulation first. Sometimes just scratching them by a knife! I wonder if there was a more efficient way.

*DaveC426913*

Quote by Hassan2

Thanks a lot. Do you know how to remove the insulation before soldering? Or is it removed by the heat while soldering? I usually use flame to remove the insulation first. Sometimes just scratching them by a knife! I wonder if there was a more efficient way.

Wire strippers are the correct way.

TurtleMeister

Quote by Hassan2

Thanks a lot. Do you know how to remove the insulation before soldering? Or is it removed by the heat while soldering? I usually use flame to remove the insulation first. Sometimes just scratching them by a knife! I wonder if there was a more efficient way.

Yes, there is a more efficient way. You can buy a machine that is designed for removing the insulation. However, the price is probably too high for the hobbyest. I used such a machine many years ago when I worked for a motor manufacturer. At home I usually just lay it on a flat hard surface and scrape it with a sharp knife. I've never had much luck with using wire strippers on magnet wire.

Pengwuino

Quote by DaveC426913

Wire strippers are the correct way.

How do you use wire strippers to take off such a thing layer?

*DaveC426913*

Quote by Pengwuino

How do you use wire strippers to take off such a thing layer?

Mm. Good point. It's not designed to be stripped like regular electrical wire, is it? It won't just slide off.

AlephZero

Modern "enamelled" wire usually has a plastic coating that will burn off cleanly during soldering. The wire in old motors etc uses "real" enamel which needs to be scraped off with a knife blade or fine sandpaper.

There are electrically powered tools available to do this on an "industrial" scale.

Delta Kilo

Apparently some types of enamel could be stripped by placing the wire on aspirin tablet and heating with a soldering iron (or so the urban legend says). Never tried it myself though.

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Xyius	Why aren't the coils in electric motors insulated? Tweet In all the electric motors I have taken apart, the coils on the armature have never been insulated. This has always confused me because, how could the coil make a sufficient magnetic field if it shorts out to the adjacent wires from lack of insulation?

DaveC426913	Are you sure they're not coated in a thin layer of clear sheathing?

Hassan2	Why aren't the coils in electric motors insulated? They are insulated with a think transparent layer of insulator.

AlephZero $Math 2012$ Recognitions: Science Advisor	Modern "enamelled" wire usually has a plastic coating that will burn off cleanly during soldering. The wire in old motors etc uses "real" enamel which needs to be scraped off with a knife blade or fine sandpaper. There are electrically powered tools available to do this on an "industrial" scale.

Delta Kilo	Apparently some types of enamel could be stripped by placing the wire on aspirin tablet and heating with a soldering iron (or so the urban legend says). Never tried it myself though.