Motor Knowledge Quiz

EGR326 Lecture 11: DC and Stepper Motors in Embedded Systems

• Objectives of the lecture include understanding the working of a DC electric motor and the advantages of a "brushless" DC motor
• A brushed DC motor is designed to run from a direct current power source and utilizes brushes to facilitate current flow to coil windings
• The armature of a brushed DC motor forms an electromagnet, leading to repulsion and attraction due to the current through its coils
• Varying the applied voltage to a brushed DC motor can change the speed by altering the coil current and the strength of the magnetic field
• The spinning of the motor produces a counter-EMF, opposing the applied voltage on the motor
• Brushed motors are still used for heavy-duty equipment while brushless motors, using power electronic devices, have replaced them in many applications
• Stepper motors work by dividing a full rotation into a number of equal steps, with each step being driven by a separate electrical pulse
• Stepper motors are advantageous due to their ability to accurately position the motor without the need for a feedback system
• Microcontrollers can be used to design an interface to drive a stepper motor, making them suitable for precise control and automation applications
• The lecture aims to provide an understanding of the working principles of both DC and stepper motors, as well as the design and control aspects
• The transition from brushed to brushless motors has been driven by the need for more reliable and maintenance-free motor solutions in various applications
• The lecture provides insights into the practical applications and advantages of both brushed and brushless DC motors, as well as the design considerations for driving stepper motors from microcontrollers