What is the Life Expectancy of a Brushed DC Motor?

The life expectancy of a brushed DC motor is typically about 1,000 to 3,000 hours. This type of electric motor utilises direct current to supply mechanical energy, with brushes making contact with a commutator to regulate electric current. Although brushed motors have been in use for over 100 years, their life expectancy is generally shorter compared to brushless DC motors.

Brushed DC motor’s life expectancy is highly dependent on factors such as the brush material, operating temperature, and environmental conditions. Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions when selecting a motor for your applications. When compared with brushless DC motors, brushed motors have certain limitations such as lower efficiency due to friction between brushes and commutator as well as more substantial maintenance requirements. Nevertheless, brushed motors still have prevalent usage in various industries due to their affordability and simplicity.

On the other hand, brushless DC motors can achieve tens of thousands of operating hours as they do not possess brushes, eliminating the wear and tear associated with them. The limiting factor for brushless motors is the wear on the bearings. In general, brushless motors offer higher efficiency, longer life expectancy, and lower maintenance requirements compared to their brushed counterparts. However, they do come at a higher initial cost.

Pros & Cons of Brushed vs Brushless Motor

When choosing between brushless and brushed DC motors, understanding their differences, advantages, and drawbacks is essential. The two main factors to consider are the motor’s lifespan and performance.

Brushed Motors

Pros:

Simplicity: Brushed motors have a straightforward design, making them easier to maintain and more affordable.
Control: These motors offer better control over armature speed and have a natural torque curve.

Cons:

Shorter lifespan: The brushes in a brushed motor are prone to wear and tear, limiting their lifespan to 1,000 to 3,000 hours on average.
Efficiency: Brushed motors are less efficient due to energy loss through friction and heat generation from the brushes and commutator.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance is needed as brushes and brush holders may require replacement.

Brushless Motors

Pros:

Longevity: With no brushes to wear out, brushless motors offer a significantly longer lifespan, usually tens of thousands of hours, with the limiting factor being bearing wear.
Efficiency: These motors are more efficient as they eliminate energy loss through brushes and commutators.
Low maintenance: Brushless motors require little to no maintenance, as there are no brushes or commutated components to replace.

Cons:

Higher initial cost: Due to their advanced design and technology, brushless motors are generally more expensive than their brushed counterparts.

In summary, brushed motors are known for their simplicity and better control over armature speed, while brushless motors offer a longer lifespan, higher efficiency, and lower maintenance requirements. To help you decide which motor best suits your needs, further reading, and comparisons can be found at “Brushless vs Brushed Motors: Which is Suitable for Your Project?“.

Assun’s Coreless Brushed DC Motor Collection

As you explore the world of brushed DC motors, it’s essential to consider coreless designs. Assun Motor offers an extensive range of coreless brushed DC motors, providing longer life expectancy, increased efficiency, and precision in delicate motion applications.

In the Assun Motor collection, you’ll find coreless brushed DC motors available in various sizes, including small diameters ranging from 16mm to 40mm and lengths from 23mm to 71mm. The load speed ranges from 3,300 to 30,890 RPM. These motors are designed to meet various application needs, ensuring you find the perfect motor for your project.

One of the key benefits of Assun’s coreless brushed DC motors is their low vibration, making them ideal for precise and smooth operations. The motors’ compressed profile and exceptional performance make them applicable for medical engineering systems, including medical pumps, diagnostic equipment, biosensors, and surgical devices.

Assun’s brushed DC motors are not only suitable for medical applications but also for remote-controlled vehicles, computers, electronic devices, and even electric vehicles and hybrid cars. With coreless motors, you’ll experience a dramatic reduction in power loss and an improvement in efficiency compared to traditional brushed DC motors.

To view the full range of coreless brushed DC motors and explore how these motors can enhance your applications, be sure to visit our coreless brushless DC motor product page.