Motors

Motors are an essential component of any application that requires motion control. There are many different types, but you can rest assured that RS has a wide range of high-quality motors to suit all kinds of projects.

We stock hundreds of products including alternating current and direct current (AC and DC) motors, servo motors, synchronous motors as well as stepper and fan motors. You can narrow down your search on the left-hand side of this page while you can also filter by leading manufacturers including Baldor-Reliance, Crouzet and Panasonic.

At RS, we only partner with the very best brands and our selection of industrial motors is certainly no different. Read on to find out how motors work, the various available types and why you can rely on us as the largest authorized distributor of electronic products in North America.

What are motors and how do they work?

Motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, which powers the motion control of the appliance in question. To do this, the motor’s magnetic field and the electric current in the wiring combine to generate a force – torque – which is applied to the motor’s shaft. That force subsequently powers the external mechanism – for example in small fans that are used to cool the inner circuitry of computers.

What are the different types of motors?

In terms of broad classification, most motors can be categorized according to their power sources – AC and DC. However, there are other sub-categories of everyday and industrial motors and we’ll explain a little more about each of those here.

• AC motors: These are driven by an alternating current, where the flow direction around a circuit is reversed at regular intervals. This switching of direction is done by an alternator. Most AC motors are brushless, which means they typically require less maintenance than DC motors and as a result often have a longer lifespan.
• DC motors: These are driven by a direct current, using a stationary stator and a rotating armature. Both brushed and brushless DC motors are available. The former are the original design while the latter were more recently developed and have a key point of difference in that they do not contain a commutator.
• Servo motors: These types of motors allow for a greater deal of control over the movement of the application in question. Servo motors tend to be used in closed-loop systems and include a potentiometer which changes in resistance as the motor rotates.
• Stepper motors: These are brushless motors that convert digital pulses into mechanical energy. They enable motion at a precise angle and as the pulse becomes more frequent, the step movement turns into a continuous rotation. Stepper motors are designed to allow an application’s motion to start and stop with accuracy and precision.
• Synchronous motors: These are a form of AC motor where the turning of the shaft is in sync with the frequency of the current that is being supplied. The way synchronous motors are designed means they are perfect for clocks and other applications that require a timing function.

Where are regular and industrial motors used?

Motors are essential components in electronics and, as such, can be found in a huge number of industrial and everyday devices. For example, the likes of mobile phones, computers, showers, hairdryers, windshield wipers and white goods all require the use of motors in order to operate properly.

Meanwhile, industrial motors can be found in larger-scale applications. They are used in manufacturing plants, factory equipment, workshop machinery such as lathes, as well as for seafaring vessels such as cruise ships and submarines.

Why choose RS for your motors?

We’re the largest authorized distributor of electronic components in North America and we only stock products that meet the very highest industry standards. Our range of motors is certainly no different, and we can offer parts from market-leading manufacturers such as Omron Automation, Schneider Electric and Siemens.

Whether it’s servo motors, fan motors, synchronous motors or stepper motors you’re after, rest assured you can rely on us to provide what you need. If you have any questions about our selection of motors then please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team, while you can also find plenty of helpful advice in our expert hub.