INTRODUCTION Electric motors are everywhere in your house, almost every mechanical movement that you see around

you is caused by an AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) electric motor. A simple motor has six parts : Armature or rotor Brushes Axle Field magnet DC power supply of some sort

Major types of electric motors are DC motors (direct current) and AC motors (Alternating current). Direct current generators produce electric current that always flows in the same direction while Alternating current generators or alternators produce electric current that reverses direction many times every seconds. An electric motor is all about magnets and magnetism: A motor uses magnets to create motion. The fundamental law of all magnets is opposites attract and likes repel. Inside an electric motor, these attracting and repelling forces create rotational motion. In the diagram, we can see two magnets in the motor: The armature (or rotor) is an electromagnet, while the field magnet is a permanent magnet (the field magnet could be an electromagnet as well, but in most small motors it isn't in order to save power).

The physical principle of production of mechanical force by the interactions of an electric current and a magnetic field was known as early as 1821. Electric motors of increasing efficiency were constructed throughout the 19th century, but commercial exploitation of electric motors on a large scale required efficient electrical generators and electrical distribution networks. Some devices, such as magnetic solenoids and loudspeakers, although they generate some mechanical power, are not generally referred to as electric motors, and are usually termed actuators and transducers.

OBJECTIVE 1. To identify the characteristics of Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) motor. 2. Determine the operation of Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) motor. LITERATURE REVIEW The rotating magnetic induction field principle used in alternators and pioneered the use of this rotating and inducting electromagnetic field force to generate torque in rotating machines. He exploited this principle in the design of a poly-phase induction motor in 1883. (Serbian inventor Nikola Tesla -1882) The first commercial electric power transmission used direct current. Because of significant historical advantages of alternating current over direct current in transforming and transmission, electric power distribution was nearly all alternating current until a few years ago. (Thomas Edison 1941)

PROBLEM RELATED Alternating Current (AC) Motor Lighting worked as well on AC as on DC. Transmission of electrical energy covered longer distances at lower loss with alternating current. However, motors were a problem with alternating current. The problems are : Initially, AC motors were constructed like DC motors. Numerous problems were encountered due to changing magnetic fields, as compared to the static fields in DC motor field coils. Charles P. Steinmetz contributed to solving these problems with his investigation of hysteresis losses in iron armatures. 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. His new type of motor, the AC induction motor, is the workhorse of industry to this day. Its ruggedness and simplicity (Figure above) make for long life, high reliability, and low maintenance. Yet small brushed AC motors, similar to the DC variety, persist in small appliances along with small Tesla induction motors. Above one horsepower (750 W), the Tesla motor reigns supreme. Modern solid state electronic circuits drive brushless DC motors with AC waveforms generated from a DC source.

At the system level, (Figure above) a motor takes in electrical energy in terms of a potential difference and a current flow, converting it to mechanical work. Alas, electric motors are not 100% efficient. Some of the electric energy is lost to heat, another form of energy, due to I2R losses in the motor windings. The heat is an undesired byproduct of the conversion. It must be removed from the motor and may adversely affect longevity. Thus, one goal is to maximize motor efficiency, reducing the heat loss.

Direct Current (DC) Motor 1. Typical inspections when troubleshooting DC motor problems or doing preventative maintenance: Remove the springs and brushes by removing the cover typically with a slotted screw driver Check the motor brushes are moving freely when disassembling Check that the spring tension on all the brushes are about equal Check the face of the brushes- it should be shiny or polished which will indicate good contact. If not replace Check the brush length. Typical Fanuc DC motor brushes when new are about .75" long. The less length the less spring tension on the brush. Ounce brushes are removed shine a flashlight inside and look to see if there is build up on the commutate or in the housing. Use an air line/clean air supply to blow this out. Clean between all the commutate grooves and area for brushes. If the is black residue on the commutate polish with fine sandpaper.

Check for wear grooves on the commutate from the brushes rubbing. Consider replacement if extremely worn or pitted.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION Operation and characteristic of Alternating Current (AC) Motor

An AC motor is an electric motor driven by an alternating current. It commonly consists of two basic parts, an outside stationary stator having coils supplied with alternating current to produce a rotating magnetic field, and an inside rotor attached to the output shaft that is given a torque by the rotating field. There are two main types of AC motors, depending on the type of rotor used. The first type is the induction motor, which runs slightly slower than the supply frequency. The magnetic field on the rotor of this motor is created by an induced current. The second type is the synchronous motor, which does not rely on induction and as a result, can rotate exactly at the supply frequency or a sub-multiple of the supply frequency. The magnetic field on the rotor is either generated by current delivered through slip rings or by a permanent magnet. Other types of motors include eddy current motors, and also AC/DC mechanically commutated machines in which speed is dependent on voltage and winding connection. As in the DC motor case, a current is passed through the coil, generating a torque on the coil. Since the current is alternating, the motor will run smoothly only at the frequency of the sine wave. It is called a synchronous motor. More common is the induction motor, where electric current is induced in the rotating coils rather than supplied to them directly. One of the drawbacks of this kind of AC motor is the high current which must flow through the rotating contacts. Sparking and heating at those contacts can waste energy and shorten the lifetime of the motor. In common AC motors the magnetic field is produced by an electromagnet powered by the same AC voltage as the motor coil. The coils which produce the magnetic field are sometimes referred to as the "stator", while the coils and the solid core which rotates is called the "armature". In an AC motor the magnetic field is sinusoid ally varying, just as the current in the coil varies. Operation and characteristic of Direct Current (DC) Motor

In any electric motor, operation is based on simple electromagnetism. A current-carrying conductor generates a magnetic field; when this is then placed in an external magnetic field, it will experience a force proportional to the current in the conductor, and to the strength of the external magnetic field. As you are well aware of from playing with magnets as a kid, opposite (North and South) polarities attract, while like polarities (North and North, South and South) repel. The internal configuration of a DC motor is designed to harness the magnetic interaction between a current-carrying conductor and an external magnetic field to generate rotational motion. Every DC motor has six basic parts which are axle, rotor (armature), stator, commutator, field magnet(s), and brushes. In most common DC motors the external magnetic field is produced by high-strength permanent magnets. The stator is the stationary part of the motor and this includes the motor casing, as well as two or more permanent magnet pole pieces. The rotor (together with the axle and attached commutator) rotates with respect to the stator. The rotor consists of windings (generally on a core), the windings being electrically connected to the commutator The geometry of the brushes, commutator contacts, and rotor windings are such that when power is applied, the polarities of the energized winding and the stator magnet(s) are misaligned, and the rotor will rotate until it is almost aligned with the stator's field magnets. As the rotor reaches alignment, the brushes move to the next commutator contacts, and energize the next winding. Given our example two-pole motor, the rotation reverses the direction of current through the rotor winding, leading to a "flip" of the rotor's magnetic field, driving it to continue rotating. The rotor reaches alignment, the brushes move to the next commutator contacts, and energize the next winding. Given our example two-pole motor, the rotation reverses the direction of current through the rotor winding, leading to a "flip" of the rotor's magnetic field, driving it to continue rotating. Advantages Alternating Current (AC) The voltage can be raked or lowered economically by transformer. Less complex. Can be built without brushes and commutators. Reliable quick power back up during emergency or blackout Direct Current (DC) The power generation can be from large portable generator depending upon usage

Disadvantages Alternating Current (AC) The greater amount of insulation required for wires carrying AC current. Since AC voltage is much greater, it is more dangerous than DC. Cannot be converted into alternating current. Much of the equipment designed for AC operation is inefficient if not downright wasteful. Direct Current (DC) More complex than alternating current High cost installation

CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION Conclusion We can conclude that AC current is a specific type of electric current in which the direction of the current's flow is reversed, or alternated, on a regular basis. Direct current is no different electrically from alternating current except for the fact that it flows in the same direction at all times. Electrical devices that convert electricity directly into other forms of energy can operate just as effectively from AC current as from DC. Alternating Current (AC) is a type of electrical current, in which the direction of the flow of electrons switches back and forth at regular intervals or cycles. Current flowing in power lines and normal household electricity that comes from a wall outlet is alternating current. The standard current used is 60 cycles per second (i.e. a frequency of 60 Hz).Direct current (DC) is electrical current which flows consistently in one direction. The current that flows in a flashlight or another appliance running on batteries is direct current. However, nearly all modern electronic devices require direct current for their operation. Alternating current is still used to deliver electricity to the device, and a transformer is included with these devices to convert AC power to DC power (usually at much lower than the supplied voltage) so that electronic devices can use it. One advantage of alternating current is that it is relatively cheap to change the voltage of the current. Furthermore, the inevitable loss of energy that occurs when current is carried over long distances is far smaller with alternating current than with direct current. Graphic representation of the intensity of the current as a function of time:

Direct Current Recommendation Alternating Current (AC)

Alternating Current

Alternating Current voltage may be increased or decreased with a transformer.

Use of a higher voltage leads to significantly more efficient transmission of power. The power losses in a conductor are a product of the square of the current and the resistance of the conductor.

DC current is more effective for long-distance, high-voltage transmission because it results in less energy lost in transmission, but the cost of converting DC current to AC is relatively high, so DC is typically cost-effective only for long-distance transmission. Direct Current (DC) Direct-current installations usually have different types of sockets, switches, and fixtures, mostly due to the low voltages used, from those suitable for alternating current. It is usually important with a direct-current appliance not to reverse polarity unless the device has a diode bridge to correct for this (most battery-powered devices do not). i) DC is commonly found in many low-voltage applications: Especially where these are powered by batteries, which can produce only DC, or solar power systems, since solar cells can produce only DC.

ii) Most automotive applications use DC The alternator is an AC device which uses a rectifier to produce DC. Most electronic circuits require a DC power supply.

REFERENCES I. II. III. IV. V. http://ecmweb.com/ops/electric_direct_current_motor/, title. Retrieved on December 12, 2011. http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/electricmotor.htm, title. Retrieved on Dicember 12, 2011. http://www.howstuffworks.com/motor.htm, title. Retrieved on December 11, 2011 http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/motorac.html, title. Retrieved on December 11, 2011. http://www.solarbotics.net/starting/200111_dcmotor/200111_dcmotor2.html, title. Retrieved on December 11, 2011.

APPENDIX

Figure 1 : The Alternating Current (AC) motor.

Figure 2 : Operation of Alternating Current (AC) motor.

Figure 3 : Direct Current (DC) motor.

Figure 4 : Operation of Direct Current (DC).