Difference between AC motor and DC motor in tabular form

There are two types of electric motors, AC motors, and DC motors. The basic difference between ac motor and a DC motor is that an AC motor powers on AC while a DC motor powers on DC, To learn in detail about AC and DC motors comparison table is given below about the difference between AC and DC motors.

Difference between AC motor and DC motor in tabular form

AC Motors	DC Motors
Ac motors are powered by AC currents.	DC motors are powered by DC.
In AC motors conversion of current is not required.	In DC motors conversion of current is required like ac into DC.
AC motors are used where power performance is sought for extended periods.	DC motors are used where motor speed is required to be controlled externally.
AC motors can be single-phase or three-phase.	All DC motors are single-phase.
In AC motors Armatures do not rotate while the magnetic field continuously rotates.	In DC motors, the armature rotates while the magnetic field does rotate.
Repairing of DC motors is costly.	Repairing of AC motors is not costly.
AC motor does not use brushes.	DC motor uses brushes.
AC motors have a longer life span.	DC motors do have not a longer life span.
The speed of AC motors is simply controlled by varying the frequency of the current.	The speed of DC motors is controlled by varying the armature winding’s current.
AC motors require effective starting equipment like a capacitor to start operation.	DC motors do not require any external help to start operation.

Now!
We learn more about ac motor and dc motor in detail.

What is an AC motor?

The AC  motor’s stator has coils that are supplied with the AC and produce a rotating magnetic field. The AC  motor’s rotor rotates inside the electric motor’s coils and is attached to the output shaft that produces torque by the rotating magnetic field.

How does an AC motor work?

There are two types of AC motors. Synchronous motors and asynchronous motors.
The synchronous motor consists of a rotor which is energized by a DC supply. The stator has a 3-phase winding from which power can be supplied. Now when these two supplies are given, that is at certain voltages, the current is drawn and the coil inside produces the magnetic fields. When the AC rotating field (though the stator does not rotate, the 3-phase field will give the effect of rotation)and the DC field interact, torque is produced which leads to the rotation.
The induction motor or asynchronous varies in just a single part. It does not have a separate DC field. Instead, the rotor rotates by the effect of inductance or transfer of flux. The rotor will try to follow the 3-phase flux in the stator and hence the rotary. This motor is used in fans.

What are the types of an AC motor?

There are two different types of AC  motors and each of them uses a different type of rotor.

1. Synchronous motors
2. Asynchronous motors or induction motors

The synchronous motor can operate with precision supply frequency because it does not rely on induction. The magnetic field on a synchronous motor is generated by current delivered through slip rings. Synchronous motors run faster than induction motors because the speed is reduced by the slip of the asynchronous motor. An induction motor uses a magnetic field on the rotor of an induction motor that’s created by an induced current.

Types of synchronous motors

• Plain synchronous motors
• Super synchronous motors

Types of induction motors

• Single-phase
• Three-phase

How many types of DC motors?

There are two types of DC motors.

• Brushed DC motors
• Brushless DC motors

Types of brushed DC motors

• Shunt-wound
• Compound wound
• Permanent magnet
• Series Wound

Conclusion:

AC motors and DC motors use the same principle of using an armature winding and magnetic field except with DC motors. In AC motors the armature does not rotate and the magnetic field continuously rotates.

In some applications, DC  motors are replaced by combining an AC motor with an electronic speed controller.DC  motors are replaced with an AC  motor and an electronic speed controller because it is a more economical and less expensive solution.

DC  motors have many moving parts that are expensive to replace, and DC electric repair is usually more expensive than using a new AC motor with an electronic controller.

So as far as maintenance is concerned, AC motors are used mostly as an easy availability of AC supply DC motors have a constant maintenance problem.

Related topics

• Types of electric motor