Elektrimootori

Elektrimootori is the Estonian term for an electric motor, a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy through electromagnetic forces. In operation, a rotating magnetic field produced by windings or permanent magnets interacts with conductors in the rotor to generate torque.

There are several main categories. Direct current motors include brushed and brushless types; alternating current motors include induction, synchronous, and universal motors. Brushed DC motors are simple but rely on physical brushes, while brushless DC motors use electronic commutation for higher efficiency and longevity. Induction motors are robust and widely used in industry; synchronous motors run at a speed tied to the supply frequency and can offer constant speed and high efficiency.

Control and efficiency depend on design and drive electronics. Modern motors are typically controlled by inverters that vary voltage and frequency, enabling precise speed and torque control. Sensor feedback for rotor position is common in brushless and synchronous machines to optimize performance.

Applications are broad, spanning industrial drives, robotics, consumer appliances, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, power tools, and increasingly electric vehicles. Electric motors are central to energy efficiency strategies, with performance often defined by efficiency classes and standards set by regional bodies.

History traces the development of electric motors to 19th-century experiments in electromagnetism, with significant advances by inventors such as Faraday and Tesla. Today, electric motors underpin modern electrification, offering scalable power, reliability, and diverse form factors for a wide range of applications.