A DC motor converts direct current into mechanical energy. It works on the principle that a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force. There are three main types of DC motors: shunt wound motors which run at a constant speed, series wound motors which decrease in speed under load, and compound wound motors which have characteristics of both. The main parts of a DC motor are the yoke, poles, armature, field and armature windings, commutator, brushes, and shaft. Routine maintenance includes cleaning, inspecting brushes and commutator, checking bearings and connections, and testing annually.

1. DC Motor Operation and
Maintenance

2. Working Principle of DC motor
A machine that converts DC power into mechanical energy is known as
DC motor. The basic working principle of a DC motor is: "whenever a
current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a
mechanical force". The direction of this force is given by Fleming's left
hand rule.

3. Working principle of DC motor

4. Types of DC motors
Shunt wound DC motor-Field winding is connected in parallel
with the armature. It runs practically constant speed at all
load. Its Starting torque is 1.5 to 2 times greater than its
Full Load torque. These type of motors are useful to drive a
Line shaft to which a number of machines are belted.
Series wound DC motor: Field winding is connected in series
With the armature. So that the load current flows from the field
And the armature. This motor has the characteristics of
Decreasing of speed with increasing the load. When there
Is no load on the motor the speed is very high. Hence this
Type of motor is never used without load.
This type of motor is useful for trams, cranes,trains,pumps
Trolly etc.

5. Types of DC motors
Compound wound DC motor:-It is having both series and
Shunt winding. This type of motor is used where high
Starting torque is required and load is fluctuating.
This motor is used for compressors ,refrigerator plant.

6. Parts of DC Motors

7. Parts of DC motor
commutator

8. Main parts of DC machines
1) Yoke or Frame or Magnetic frame
2) Poles and Pole shoe
3) Armature
4) Armature winding and Field winding
5) Commutator
6) Brushes
7) Shaft
1) Yoke:
The yoke make by cast steel for large machines and cast iron for a small
machine. It uses to protect the internal parts of the DC machine and
gives mechanical support to the poles. The yoke provides a return path
for magnetic flux. In the yoke, the laminations are not required, but the
modern machines uses the laminations in yoke.
2) Poles and Pole shoe:
The pole core use to provide housing to the field winding. When field
winding excites, it behaves like a magnet. The pole shoes provide
mechanical support to the field winding and due to a large area, it
reduces the magnetic reluctance. The pole and pole shoe make by cast
steel. Pole is not necessary to laminate. The pole shoe is always
laminated because it is close to the armature.

9. Main parts of DC machines
3) Armature:
Armature core provides housing to the armature winding. It completes low
reluctance path for magnetic flux. The armature slots are skew at some angle to
reduce the mechanical vibration. Armature core is made with silicon steel. It is
laminated to reduce the eddy current losses.
4) Armature winding and Field winding:
There are two types of armature windings; Lap winding and Wave winding.
Lap winding is known as complete winding because, after completion of winding,
all slots does fill with armature winding. Wave winding is known as incomplete
winding because, after completion of winding, all slots does not fill with armature
winding. Some slots remain empty. These slots do fill with dummy coils. The
dummy coils only use in wave winding to fill empty slots and give mechanical
balance. It is not used in lap winding.
In lap winding, due to unbalance flux and unbalance voltage, the circulating
current is more. It causes more copper loss and heat. The circulating current can
minimise by using the equalizer ring. In wave winding, circulating current does
not exist.
The field winding connects with DC supply. Whenever the field winding is
energies, it produces the magnetic flux and poles behaves like a magnet.

10. 5) Commutator:
The commutator uses as a rectifier. In the case of the motor, the
commutator use to produce unidirectional torque. To reduce wear
and tear, the commutator make by hard drawn copper. The
number of armature slots is equal to the number of commutator
segments.
6) Brush:
Brushes use to carry the current or give the current to the
armature conductors through the commutator. The brushes make
by copper or carbon materials for small machines. Electro-graphite
brushes use for large machines. Carbon-graphite brushes use for
large current low voltage machines.
7) Shaft:
The shaft use to transfer mechanical power. In case of DC motor,
mechanical power is transfer from DC machine to load. In the case
of a DC generator, mechanical power is transfer from Prime mover
to the DC generator.
Main parts of DC machines

11. Maintenance of DC motor
1. Clean motor, blowing out dirt from windings, and wipe commutator and
brushes.
2. Visually inspect commutator.
3. Check and replace brushes that are more than half worn.
4. Examine brush holders, and clean them if dirty.
5. Check brush pressure and position.
6. Check grease in ball or roller bearings.
7. Check operating speed or speeds.
8. Technician to examine and tighten loose connections.
9. Test current input and compare it with normal.
10. Visually check drive, for smooth running, absence of vibration.
11. Check motor foot bolts.
Annually1. Remove and renew grease in ball or roller bearing.
2. Test insulation.
3. Clean out magnetic dirt that may be attached to poles.
4. Check the commutator for smoothness and slot damage.
5. Examine connections of commutator and armature coils.
.

12. Thank you