Question

Explain the function of 1) armature 2) brushes 3) split rings in an electric motor?

Answer 1

Definition of an electric motor.

An electric motor is an electronic device used to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy.

Parts of an electric motor.

An electric motor has the following parts :

1. A power supply
2. Field magnet
3. An armature or rectangular coil
4. Split rings
5. Brushes
6. Axle

Functions:

Armature:

1. A long rectangular coil with multiple copper wires wound around an iron core is an armature.
2. This armature winding is placed in a magnetic field and electricity is passed through it.
3. As the armature rotates, the coil around it experiences a change in magnetic flux, which induces a current inside the coil generating an EMF.
4. Torque is produced in the rotor thereby converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy.

Brushes:

1. Brushes in an electric motor are mainly used to transfer power between the rotating armature coils and stationary wires to the rotor.
2. It also helps to make a contact with the rotating rings so that current can be supplied to the coil.

Split Rings:

1. The sole purpose of the split ring is to reverse the flow of current after every half rotation of the coil in the motor.
2. It ensures that the coil rotates continuously in the same direction so that the coil does not rotate in half clockwise and half anti-clockwise direction.