What is a Motor?

Motor is an electrical device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. It works on electrical power as input hence it can be further divided into AC motors and DC motors and outputs some mechanical work like rotation or any kind of movement. AC motors take Alternating current as input while DC motors take Direct current as input. There is a further classification of motor based on its construction. Electric fans, vacuum cleaners, and other major household appliances operate due to the motor present inside them.

Working of Motor

As discussed, Motor takes electricity (AC or DC) and converts it into mechanical energy using principles of electromagnetic induction. Construction of the motor consists of two parts – the Stator (the stationary part) and the Rotor (the rotating part).

As the current flows in the motor, the stator of the motor with a copper coil creates a magnetic field. The moving part rotor is connected to shaft, and it interacts with the magnetic field, it causes Lorentz force on the rotor which in turn experiences torque and begins to rotate, hence the generation of mechanical energy. The rotation can be controlled by controlling the flow of voltage and current in the motor.

Difference Between Motor and Generator

The major difference between a motor and a generator is that a motor electrical energy to mechanical energy whereas a generator convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. Both motors and generators operate through electromagnetic induction, which occurs when a changing magnetic field induces a voltage.

This article provides the difference between motor and generator, along with their definition and working.

Similar Reads

What is a Motor?

Motor is an electrical device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. It works on electrical power as input hence it can be further divided into AC motors and DC motors and outputs some mechanical work like rotation or any kind of movement. AC motors take Alternating current as input while DC motors take Direct current as input. There is a further classification of motor based on its construction. Electric fans, vacuum cleaners, and other major household appliances operate due to the motor present inside them....

What is a Generator?

Generator is an electrical device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Any mechanical energy like rotation outputs electrical energy in Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC). All power plants which convert various energies operate on generator. The working structure of generator is inspired from electromagnetic induction....

Difference between Motor and Generator

The main difference between Motor and Generator is that they operate opposite. Motor changes electrical energy to mechanical energy whereas Generator changes mechanical energy to electrical energy. Other differences come from construction and their use cases....

Conclusion

A motor and a generator are two types of electrical devices that seem similar but work in opposite ways. A motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, making things move, like fans or cars. On the other hand, a generator does the opposite; it transforms mechanical energy, usually from rotation, into electrical energy, like the power plants that produce electricity for our homes. The main difference is in what they do with the energy – motor uses it for movement, and a generator produces electricity. Both have similar structures with stator and rotor parts, and interestingly, one machine can function as both a motor and a generator....

FAQs on Motor and Generator

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