For operating machinery and equipment in a wide variety of industries and applications, DC motors are commonly used. When it comes to energy converters, these motors were among the first types. Initially, the majority of motors in service used DC voltage. This caused a problem since DC voltage cannot be generated and distributed over a long distance. Because of that, the industry standard became AC voltage.
Early on, one method of providing DC voltage was by using generators set up in factories where large AC motors turned them. For this, a large AC motor directly drove a DC generator at a constant speed. To adjust the level of DC voltage from the generator, the field current in the generator was regulated. Known as the Ward-Lennard system, this was used for a long time until solid state diodes became available. From that point on, SCRs were made available and DC motors became more usable.
Modern Technology
Because of the ease of speed and torque control, DC motors became extremely popular for machinery during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Using simple SCR controllers, the problem of AC voltage to DC was rectified by providing current and voltage control simultaneously. Then in the late 1960’s, solid state controls became more reliable. By the 1970’s, transistors were designed to handle much larger loads while microprocessors became more affordable.
Today, DC motors are used in virtually all industries around the world. In addition, companies like MET Motors can build custom motors designed specifically for a customer’s application. With more than 45 years of experience in the business of making DC motors, this company provides superior products and outstanding service to multiple industries, including the examples below.
- Agricultural and Forestry
- Automotive
- Construction
- Floor Cleaning Equipment
- HVAC
- Marine
- Materials Handling
- Military
- Packaging
- Railroad
- Robotics
- Solar Water Pumps
- Sustainable/Green Energy