A universal motor is called universal because of this flexibility, although they almost always operate on AC power. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Electric Motor Solutions
Mankato, MN | 612-746-7624At Electric Motor solutions, our goal is to provide the best motors and equipment to meet the needs of your application. Products include linear actuators, electric motors, speed reducers, custom motors, vacuum cleaner motors, AC motors, and more.
ElectroCraft, Inc.
Stratham, NH | 844-338-8114When reliability and power are a must, the universal motors you find at ElectroCraft can operate with high efficiency, low voltage, and at a low cost. Applications that our universal electric motors serve include robotics, packaging, automotive, and medical equipment. Electric motor products include the CompletePower™ Plus Universal Drive, complete with a user-friendly configurable interface. For more details, contact ElectroCraft today!
SPG USA Inc.
Schaumburg, IL | 847-439-4949Quickly rising as the world’s leading motor specialized company, SPG Motor pioneers the fractional horsepower motor market in innovation & advanced quality assurance. All of our fractional horsepower motors are ISO 9001 certified for automation equipment & appliances made by top companies like Whirlpool, Maytag & GE. For more information, contact SPG today!
Carter Motor Company
Monroe, WI | 608-325-9161At Carter Motor, some of the motors manufactured include AC universal motors, small motors, DC universal motors, DC permanent magnet motors, DC shunt wound motors and gearmotors, along with many others. All Carter Motor products are designed and assembled in the United States by hard-working employees. From engineers to shipping clerks, the staff takes pride in every part of the process.
Graham Motors & Controls
El Paso, TX | 915-599-2727We have been in business since 1936 so you know you can count on Graham Motors and Controls to deliver the highest quality product. Located in El Paso, Texas we ship nationwide through our extensive network. Turn to us for all your motor and control needs. Call us today for more information or visit our website to see our products and services for yourself.
Merkle-Korff Industries
Elk Grove Village, IL | 847-439-3760Merkle-Korff offers a broad range of sub-fractional horsepower motors and gear motors. Products include AC and DC (brush and brushless) motors & small motors (less than 1/10th horsepower). We provide application engineering, technical support & value-added assembly, both domestic & internationally. Since 1911 we have been providing reliable sub-fractional motors. ISO 9001/2000 registered.
Universal Motor - Electric Motor SolutionsThe universal motor is able to operate on alternating current power because of the in sync alternating of the magnetic field and the armature which causes force in a constant direction. However, a universal electric motor offers an advantage over regular AC motors because they have a high starting torque level which is a characteristic of DC motors, as well as high top speed and compact operating designs.
Yet, the motors are still able to be powered by commonly found AC power supplies. Universal motors offer the combination of features and in applications where the combination of high speed operating with light engine weight is desirable, universal motors are an ideal solution. For products such as hairdryers, blenders, power tools and vacuum cleaners, universal motors are suitable to meet the requirements of intermittent high powered usage.
The disadvantage, however, is that a universal motor has a considerably shorter life than other types of miniature motors, and even though it is a simple and reliable design, a universal motor will wear our relatively quickly. For this reason, a universal motor is most often found in AC devices that are only used intermittently such as blenders, vacuum cleaners, power tools, clothes washers, fans, and blow dryers.
These applications require high torque starting speeds but are typically only used for short bursts of time, thus reducing the wear and tear on the engine itself. In higher powered applications, universal motors are also used, such as railway motors for electric system railways, however these motors are typically found in a range less than 1000 watts, therefore they may also be referred to as fractional horse power motors, or FHP motors.
Another useful feature of universal motors, as with some other types of small electrical motors, is that they are able to control the speed through electronic controls and to reverse the direction of an appliance such as a washing machine. On washing machines, as with other domestic appliances, universal motors have to be used within the parameters of their speed and effectiveness, and load weight should be taken into consideration to ensure minimal motor wear, although they will eventually need replacing.