For any application and project you want to accomplish, you have to decide which motor is best. Basically, there are two classifications of motors – AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). DC motors have two types namely brushed and brushless. For motors to operate, the direction of the current on the coil should be changed.
AC completely changes the direction of the current while DC flows in one direction. For DC to change direction, it needs a “brush”. The “brush” will then conduct electricity by connecting to a commutator. In the case of BLDC motors, it controls the direction of the current without using the “brush”. This enables precise current control.
For reliable, less noisy and more efficient operations, industries are using brushless D.C (BLDC) motors. Compared to brushed motors, BLDC is lighter. Although they have the same power output, BLDC is preferred by most. Here are the different applications of Arc Systems manufactures brushless motors:
Hard drives or DVD players
BLDC can be seen as part of hard drives and DVD players. It is particularly seen in their small cooling fans. Cooling fans are important to draw cooler air inside and expel warm air outside. BLDC is also seen in direct-drive turntables.
Transport
Electric and hybrid vehicles with permanent rotor magnet use BLDC. There are cases that electric bicycles also use BLDC for higher efficiency.
Power tools
There are many cordless, power tools that use BLDC motors. The tools include lead blowers, drill, drivers and weed whackers. The BLDC can increase the efficiency of motors that are exposed to longer periods of battery use.
Heating and ventilation
Normally, heating and ventilation utilise AC motors. Due to the popularity of BLDC, many heating and ventilation equipment now switch to AC motors. The switch became rampant because it showed significant reduction of power required to operate.
Industrial engineering
In industrial engineering, BLDC is primarily used for positioning or motion control. BLDC is known for its good torque characteristics, low maintenance, speed ranges and high power density.
Radio-controlled cars
The popularity of BLDC is evident in the field of radio-controlled cars. BLDC provide the racers with a high amount of power. If paired with other gears, the cars can reach speeds over 100 miles per hour. Compared to gasoline or nitro powered engines, BLDC motor can reach up to 5 horsepower and 50,000 rotations per minute. For larger BLDC motors, it can reach up to 14 horsepower and 28,000 rotations per minute. Gasoline or nitro powered engines can only reach 2.95 horsepower and 46,800 rotations per minute.
Aircraft
BLDC motors are used to power drones and helicopters. What makes BLDC motors perfect for aircraft is its range of sizes and power-to-weight ratios. In fact, BLDC encouraged the growth of lightweight and simple model aircraft. In the past, aircraft use internal combustion engines, which are noisy, heavy and large.
Without a doubt, BLDC came to dominate several applications but it cannot totally replace brushed DC motors for economic reasons. Brushed DC motors are cheaper than the BLDC.
