Electric motors have been around for years and the way they are used is often not what one would expect. They can be used inside because they don't put off any emissions, but instead use electricity to build the torque needed for the job at hand. They are compact enough to fit in small places, so are great for use on industrial machinery. But they don't last forever and sooner or later you may need to repair or replace the motor to keep the equipment running.

Direct Drive Electric Motors

The electric motor that most people are familiar with is a direct drive unit. There is motor with a drive or output shaft that comes out of one or sometimes both ends of the device. When power is applied, the motor begins to turn. Whatever is attached to the motor, whether it is a pulley and belt, a gearbox, or a big fan blade, will begin to spin as well. If the motor has enough torque, it will power or turn whatever is attracted to it until you turn the power to the motor off. This is true of most electric motors and the power and torque are the biggest factors that affect whether the motor will do the job you need it to.

Gearboxes For More Versatility

In some cases, adding a gearbox to the motor is a good way to add more versatility to the motor. The gearbox is bolted to the motor and the driveshaft from the motor is connected to the input shaft of the gearbox. When the motor is energized, it begins to turn the gearbox and, depending on how the gearing in the box is set up, it can affect the speed, power, or torque of that is coming out without having to have an enormous motor. Keep in mind though, if you are using a gearbox, the gears, bearings, and seals used in it need to be maintained or they can fail. The motor might not be damaged at all but if the gearbox was to break or jam, it could cause the motor to overheat and fail as a result of the gearbox breakdown.

Repairing Electric Motors

In many cases, the electric motor can be disassembled and repaired if it stops working. Often the winding, literally called this because it is made up of copper wire and magnets wrapped over the shaft inside the motor, can get hot and wear over time. An electrician that understands the inner workings of the electric motor can often rebuild the motor at a much lower cost than if you had to replace it. ​Contact a company like Hackworth Electric Motors, Inc. for more information.