AC Motors

Alternating current (AC) motors are among the most common electric motors, along with direct current (DC) motors, and we have a wide range available for you to browse at Allied Electronics. There are a few different types of AC electric motors and further information on these can be found further down the page, while you can rest assured we only stock the very finest products from industry-leading brands.

They include AMETEK, Siemens and Teco Westinghouse and, as the leading authorized distributor of AC motors and other components in North America, you can rely on us to provide what you need.

Read on for more information on AC electric motors, how they differ from DC motors, the different types available and the various applications they are frequently used in.

What are AC motors and how do they work?

AC motors are an efficient way of converting electrical energy into mechanical motion, which enables various applications to operate effectively. They differ from DC motors in that they use an alternating current, where the direction of the flow around the circuit is switched at regular intervals. This in turn means that the voltage in an AC motor circuit can change.

Another main difference between DC and AC motors is that the latter are usually brushless, which means they require less maintenance and have a longer shelf life. Typically, AC motors consist of an exterior stator with coils which produces a magnetic field, and an interior rotor which is connected to the shaft of the mechanism. The force generated by the magnetic field and the alternating current then powers the shaft and the motion of the appliance.

What are the different types of AC motors?

There are many various forms of AC electric motors, including:

• AC induction motors: These types of AC motors rely on a slight disparity in speed – known as slip – between the rotor’s magnetic field and that of the stator.
• AC synchronous motors: By contrast, those speeds in an AC synchronous motor are proportional, which makes them suitable in appliances where accuracy is of great importance.
• AC squirrel cage motors: These are a form of AC induction motor. Instead of using a wound rotor, they operate using a cage rotor and are seen as more robust.
• AC shaded pole motors: These are a type of squirrel cage motor that contains a copper bar or ring as an auxiliary winding, or shading coil.
• AC geared motors: These types of AC motors include a gear reducer to produce high torque at low speed.
• AC servo motors: These AC motors allow for greater control in determining the movement of the application.
• AC stepper motors: These operate by converting digital pulses to create motion, which can be done at a precise angle.
• AC fan motors: Designed specifically for cooling, ventilation and air distribution, AC fan motors can be found in a vast number of appliances, from HVAC units to personal computers and many more.

Where are AC motors used?

AC motors are commonplace, and various types are used in all kinds of everyday devices. For example, they can be found in clocks, power tools, white goods, mobile phones and fans. On a larger scale, they can also be found in automobiles, manufacturing plants, factories and other industrial settings.

Why choose Allied Electronics for your AC motors?

We’re committed to only providing the very best for our customers and our range of AC motors is certainly no different. We stock leading brands such as Baldor-Reliance, Crouzet and Panasonic and you can rest assured all our available products meet the highest industry standards.

Whether it’s AC fan motors or any other type of AC electric motor you require for your project, you can rely on us to deliver what you need. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team, who’ll do everything they can to help. On top of that, you can always find plenty of helpful advice in our expert hub.