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]

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 thin transparent layer of insulator.

 

[TurtleMeister]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Wire strippers are the correct way.

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

 

[DaveC426913]

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.

 

[jedishrfu]

Use a pocket knife and scrap off the ends like you would to strip off plastic insulation.