| There are two main types of electric motors. There | | | | was transmitted. Brush DC motors use rings that |
| are direct current or DC and alternating current or AC | | | | conduct the current and form the magnetic drive |
| motors. The reference of DC or AC refers to how | | | | that powers the rotor. Brushless DC motors use a |
| the electrical current is transferred through and from | | | | switch to produce the magnetic drive that powers |
| the motor. Both types of motors have different | | | | the rotor. Direct current motors are often found in |
| functions and uses. Dc motors come in two general | | | | appliances around the home. |
| types. They can have brushes or be brushless. AC | | | | Alternating current or AC electric motors are used |
| motors, as well, come in two different types. They | | | | differently based on what type of AC motor it is. |
| can be two phase or three phase. The differences in | | | | Single phase AC motors are known as general |
| DC and AC motors are sometimes subtle, but these | | | | purpose motors. They work well in many different |
| differences are what make one types better for a | | | | situations. These AC motors work great for systems |
| certain use. | | | | that are hard to start because they need a lot of |
| Direct current or DC electric motors work for | | | | power up front. Three phase, also called polyphase, |
| situations where speed needs to be controlled. DC | | | | AC motors are usually found in industrial settings. |
| motors have a stable and continuous current. DC | | | | These motors also have high starting power built |
| motors were the first and earliest motors used. They | | | | transmit lower levels of overall power. AC power |
| were found, however, to not be as good at | | | | gets its name from the fact that it alternates in |
| producing power over long lengths. Electric companies | | | | power. The amount of power given off by an AC |
| found using DC motors to generate electric did not | | | | motor is determined by the amount of power |
| work because the power was lost as the electric | | | | needed to operate the system. |