How Does A Universal Motor Work?

The skew in the armature slots serves for two

purposes:

Introduction
We have been talking about various types of
electrical motors, such as single
phase motors, induction motors, slip ring motors to
name a few. In this article we will talk about a
unique type of motor known as universal motor.

It reduces the magnetic hum.

It aids in reducing the locking tendency of rotor,
which is called magnetic locking. Magnetic locking
is a condition during which the rotor teeth remains
locked under the stator teeth due to magnetic
attraction between the stator and rotor. This will be
considerably reduced by using the Skew

A motor which may be operated (or) which can run

on either a direct supply or a single phase ac supply
is known as universal motor.
Why it is called as a universal motor? It is because
of its ability to run on both AC and DC supply with
almost similar characteristics.
A universal motor has a high starting torque and
variable speed characteristics. Such motor runs at
dangerously high speeds during no load period.

Types
A universal motor can be manufactured in two
different ways.

Compensated type motor

The compensated type motor consists of distributed
field winding and the stator core is similar to that of
split-phase motor. We already know that split phase
motors consist of an auxiliary winding in addition to
main winding. Similar to the split phase motors, the
compensated type also consists of an additional
winding. The compensating winding helps in
reducing the reactance voltage which is caused due
to alternating flux, when the motor runs with the aid
of an AC supply.

Non-compensated type with concentrated poles

Compensated type with distributed field.
The compensated type is preferred for high power
rating appliances and the Non-compensated for low
power rated appliances. Both the compensated and
Non-compensated have construction similar to that
of a DC series motor.

Both the types of motors develop unidirectional

torque regardless of the supply with which they
run. The supply may be AC or DC but the direction
of torque is same.

Non-Compensated motor
The Non-compensated motor has 2 salient poles and
it is laminated. The armature is of wound type and
the laminated core is either straight or skewed slots.
The leads of the armature winding are connected to
the commutator. High resistance brushes are used
along with this type of motor to help better
commutation.

Can the direction of rotation be reversed for

these types of motors?
Yes. The direction of rotation can be changed. For
the non-compensated motor having salient pole, the
direction of rotation can be reversed by changing
the direction of flow of current through the armature
or field winding. This can also be done by
interchanging the leads on the brush holders.

In case of compensated type motor, either the

armature leads or the field leads and shifting the
brushes against the direction of rotation of motor.
This helps in reversal of rotation.

pedal is used for this purpose. Usually this method

is employed for motors used in sewing machines.

Speed/Load characteristics and Speed

Control

Centrifugal Mechanism:

Speed/Load Characteristics:
Very similar to that of DC series motor, the
universal motor also has varying speed
characteristics. The speed is low at full loads. The
speed is Very high and dangerous at noloads. During no-loads the speed is limited only by
its own frictional and windage load.

This method is involved whenever the application

involves a number of speeds. Best example is home
food and fruit mixers. Here a centrifugal device is
attached to the motor. If the motor rises above the
specified speed set by the lever, the centrifugal
device opens the contact and R comes in contact
with the circuit. This causes the motor speed to
decrease below the set speed. When the motor runs
slower than the speed set by the lever, the contact is
established and resistance is short circuited. This
causes the speed to increase. The variations in speed
are noticeable as the process is repeated in a rapid
manner.

Tapping-Field Method:
As the name suggests the field is tapped at various
points in this method. This is done by wounding the
field pole.
Speed control:

Now how this tapping arrangement is established?

Speed control of universal motor is very important

and the following methods are employed for the
speed control of universal motors.

The tapping arrangement is established by two ways

Resistance method:

The various sections in the field pole are wounded

and different sizes of wire and taps are brought out
from those sections.

In this method of speed control a variable resistance

is connected in series with the motor. The amount of
resistance in the circuit can be changed. A foot

In the second method, resistance made of

Nichrome is wounded over the field pole. Various
tappings are brought out from this wire.

Applications
Universal motors are mostly employed in
Vacuum cleaners
Portable drills
Drink mixers
Sewing machine