Electromagnetic induction in motors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of back electromotive force (BEMF) in electrical motors, particularly focusing on why BEMF equals the supply voltage minus the current times resistance (V-It) when terminal speed is reached. The scope includes theoretical aspects of motor operation and the implications of BEMF in different types of motors, such as DC and AC motors.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that BEMF is produced due to wires moving through a magnetic field or a varying magnetic flux through a coil.
  • It is noted that BEMF increases with the speed of movement or the rate of change of flux.
  • Current flowing through the motor generates torque, as there is a force on a wire carrying current in a magnetic field.
  • Torque leads to angular acceleration, causing the motor to speed up.
  • As the motor speeds up and BEMF increases, the effective voltage driving the current decreases, leading to reduced current flow and torque.
  • Eventually, the current stabilizes at a level that balances the load, which may include friction, when terminal speed is reached.
  • One participant clarifies that terminal speed is defined as the point when BEMF equals the supply voltage, suggesting this is a specification of the motor's performance.
  • There is mention of the complexity involved in universal AC/DC motors and induction motors compared to simple DC permanent magnet motors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying interpretations of the relationship between BEMF and terminal speed, with some agreeing on the definitions while others explore different aspects of motor operation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these relationships in different motor types.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of terms like terminal speed and the role of resistance in the circuit are not fully explored. The discussion also touches on the complexity of different motor types without delving into specific mathematical formulations or detailed operational principles.

Josielle Abdilla
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why does an electrical motor produce an induced back emf which is equal to V-It when terminal speed of electrica, fans or electric drills is reached
 
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Or, why does it stop accelerating when the back emf is equal to V-It. (I'm not sure what t is here. But simple DC motors have an equation of that form, where t=R)

So a) it produces a back emf because wires are moving through a magnetic field, or magnetic flux is varying through a coil.
b) the back emf increases with speed of movement or rate of change of flux (caused by speed of movement)

c) the current causes torque, because there is a force on a wire carrying current in a magnetic field.
d) torque causes angular acceleration and the motor speeds up.

e) but when it speeds up and the back emf increases, there is less forward emf (from the assumed constant voltage supply) to drive current through the resistance of the wires.
f) so less current flows, torque drops, accn. drops, eventually to zero when the speed is fast enough.
g) then just enough current flows for torque to balance the load (maybe just friction). All the applied emf is just balancing the back emf + the PD required to make that (maybe small) current flow through the Ohmic resistance of the windings, brushes & whatever.

That is said assuming a simple DC permanent magnet motor. You are talking about a universal AC/DC motor and an induction motor. Things get more complicated there, but IF there is a terminal speed for the motor, then the general idea is similar. (Series wound motors can be unstable and terminal speed may be when they fall apart!)
 
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Thanks a lot!
 
Josielle Abdilla said:
why does an electrical motor produce an induced back emf which is equal to V-It when terminal speed of electrica, fans or electric drills is reached

@Merlin3189 described the mechanism for BEMF generation.

From a definition perspective you are looking at this backwards, terminal speed is when the BEMF reaches the supply voltage, ie maximum speed possible at a given voltage. So why does BEMF equal V-It when terminal speed is reached? Because that is the definition of terminal speed.

In other words this is a machine specification. This can be given in as a constant V/krpm, or Speed-torque curves at different voltages etc. Eg if you want to do 2000rpm with 12V, you need a machine with a BEMF constant less than 6V/krpm.
 
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