

The brushless DC motor, actually an AC motor, is replacing the conventional brushed DC motor in many applications. Modern solid-state electronic circuits drive brushless DC motors with AC waveforms generated from a DC source. Above one horsepower (750 W), the Tesla motor reigns supreme. Yet small brushed AC motors, similar to the DC variety, persist in small appliances along with small Tesla induction motors. Its ruggedness and simplicity make for long life, high reliability, and low maintenance. His new type of motor, the AC induction motor, is the workhorse of the industry to this day. Nikola Tesla envisioned an entirely new type of motor when he visualized a spinning turbine, not spun by water or steam, but by a rotating magnetic field.

Steinmetz contributed to solving these problems with his investigation of hysteresis losses in iron armatures. Figure 5.1 AC electric motor family diagramĬharles P. Initially, AC motors were constructed like DC motors, but numerous problems were encountered due to changing magnetic fields. However, motors were a problem with alternating current. Transmission of electrical energy covered longer distances at a lower loss with alternating current. The lighting worked as well on AC as on DC. After the introduction of the DC electrical distribution system by Edison in the United States, a gradual transition to the more economical AC system commenced.
