Brushed vs Brushless RC Motors(1)

Brushed vs Brushless RC Motors(1)

Brushed and brushless motors are the two main types of motors for electric RC models.

What difference?

The simple answer is that the former uses brushes and the latter does not. However, it is a little more complicated than that.

Technically speaking, brushed and brushless motors apply a similar working principle.

An electromagnetic field is created when the winding of the motor receives a current supply. The winding then pushes and repels against a permanent magnet to cause the shaft to turn.

The energy is then transferred from one winding to another that ultimately causes the motor shaft to spin continuously.

Brushed DC Motors Explained

As mentioned earlier, brushed motors have brushes inside them.

These brushes are typically made of copper, silver or graphite and are used to convert electricity into motion. They make contact with a mechanical rotary switch called a commutator and deliver an electrical current.

When the current is passed through the windings, a magnetic field is created, repelled and attracted, which consequently causes the armature, also known as a rotor, to rotate.

For brushed motors, the windings are located on the rotor and the magnets are on the stator.

Brushed DC Motors Explained

Brushless DC motors, also known BLDC motors, BL motors, or ECMs (Electrically Commutated Motors), are constructed differently.

The windings are located on the stator instead of the rotor, and the magnets are placed on the rotor. This unique design eliminates the needs for brushes all together.

Besides the external rotor, a brushless motor uses three phases of driving coil and an additional sensor device to sense the position of the rotor and the drive electronics.

It also makes use of an amplifier that is triggered by an electronic device such as an optical encoder to create a magnetic field inside the motor.

As you can see from the explanation above, electronic commutation with brushless motors is created based on the position sensors instead of the mechanical rotary switch.

Brushed vs Brushless RC Motors – Which One Should You Choose?

Brushed

If you don’t necessarily need fast speeds and maximum power from your motor then a brushed motor would be ideal for you.

Let’s say you just need to do crawling and require occasional speed boost at 5mph to 10mph. Then brushed motors are just fine for you.

They are also a great option for beginners who need ample power at a lower price.

Brushless

However, if you need to go faster than 15mph and would like to have some power efficiency, the brushless motor is the best bet for you.

Brushless motors are a great option for experienced racers who need to have more speed from their cars or hardcore bashers who just want to raise all hell with their RC vehicle (If this is you then you might just want to consider the alternative gas or nitro RC vehicle instead).

Thanks for reading, hope you would like DEKO SERVO~ Enjoy your RC moment!