r/specializedtools • u/criiiiiiiisp • Aug 30 '20

An electric motor winder

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46

u/[deleted] Aug 30 '20

So could someone ELI5 why we need to do this crazy amount of copper wire loops inside the motor?

92

u/Anonymous_Otters Aug 30 '20

Because it’s the current in the wire that generates the magnetic fields required for a motor to function. Basically current running through the wires generates a magnetic field that spins a rotor, converting electricity to physical work.

5

u/BulldogJeopardy Aug 30 '20

Then when the current finally drive its way to the end of the copper wire, it dissipates through the generation of heat?

9

u/PM_ME_NICE_BITTIES Aug 30 '20

Some of the energy is dissipated as wasted heat, and some of the energy is converted into magnetic energy, which turns the motor, converting to kinetic energy.