Introduction: The Simple DC Motor
A simple project to show you how to make a dc motor at home.!!
Step 1: Starting to Built
1. Hold the loop vertically by placing your thumb through the center of the rotor Place one
of the straight sections of wire on a flat surface. Using a razor blade, strip ONLY the
TOP surface of the wire. Be sure not to strip the sides or the bottom, just the top. Strip
the wire from the coil all the way to the end of the straight section
of the straight sections of wire on a flat surface. Using a razor blade, strip ONLY the
TOP surface of the wire. Be sure not to strip the sides or the bottom, just the top. Strip
the wire from the coil all the way to the end of the straight section
Step 2: Preparing to Assemble
2. Strip the other straight section of wire completely – top, bottom and sides.
3. Prepare to assemble the motor.
3. Prepare to assemble the motor.
Step 3: Twisting Paperclips
4. Place the ceramic magnet in the middle of the wooden base.
5. Bend two large paperclips as shown below.
5. Bend two large paperclips as shown below.
Step 4: Proper Arrangement
6. Using thumbtacks, secure the paperclips to the wooden base. Secure one paperclip at
each end of the magnet.
7. Place the rotor in the paperclip supports. When the loop of wire is oriented vertically, the
plane of the loop should be directly over the magnet. Adjust the magnet and/or supports
accordingly.
8. Attach the battery snap to the battery. If desired, secure battery to base using electrical tape.
9. Touch (or secure with electrical tape) the black lead from the battery snap to the
thumbtack that is securing one of the paperclips.
10. To complete the circuit, touch (or secure with electrical tape) the red lead from the
battery snap to the thumbtack securing the other paperclip.
each end of the magnet.
7. Place the rotor in the paperclip supports. When the loop of wire is oriented vertically, the
plane of the loop should be directly over the magnet. Adjust the magnet and/or supports
accordingly.
8. Attach the battery snap to the battery. If desired, secure battery to base using electrical tape.
9. Touch (or secure with electrical tape) the black lead from the battery snap to the
thumbtack that is securing one of the paperclips.
10. To complete the circuit, touch (or secure with electrical tape) the red lead from the
battery snap to the thumbtack securing the other paperclip.
Step 5: Help
• Has the rotor been stripped correctly? Hold the plane of the loop so
that it is oriented vertically. One of the straight sections of the rotor
should be stripped completely (from rotor to end); the other straight
section should be stripped on the top only.
• Is the circuit complete? Check each connection: red lead to
thumbtack, thumbtack to paperclip, paperclip to stripped section of
rotor, other stripped section of rotor to other paperclip, paperclip to
thumbtack, thumbtack to black lead. Any break in the circuit will
prevent current from flowing and thereby prevent motor from
working.
• Is the rotor level and directly above the magnet? Adjust the rotor,
paperclip supports and magnet until both straight sections of the
rotor are perfectly horizontal, both paperclip supports are at the
same height, and the magnet is directly underneath the rotor when
the rotor is oriented so that the plane of the loop is vertical.
• Is the rotor close to the magnet? The magnetic field is strongest
nearest to the magnet. When the plane of the rotor is oriented
vertically, the bottom of the rotor should be as close to the magnet
(without touching) as possible.
• Is the battery providing power? Use a voltmeter or multimeter to
check the voltage of the battery or simply replace with a fresh 9 volt
battery.
that it is oriented vertically. One of the straight sections of the rotor
should be stripped completely (from rotor to end); the other straight
section should be stripped on the top only.
• Is the circuit complete? Check each connection: red lead to
thumbtack, thumbtack to paperclip, paperclip to stripped section of
rotor, other stripped section of rotor to other paperclip, paperclip to
thumbtack, thumbtack to black lead. Any break in the circuit will
prevent current from flowing and thereby prevent motor from
working.
• Is the rotor level and directly above the magnet? Adjust the rotor,
paperclip supports and magnet until both straight sections of the
rotor are perfectly horizontal, both paperclip supports are at the
same height, and the magnet is directly underneath the rotor when
the rotor is oriented so that the plane of the loop is vertical.
• Is the rotor close to the magnet? The magnetic field is strongest
nearest to the magnet. When the plane of the rotor is oriented
vertically, the bottom of the rotor should be as close to the magnet
(without touching) as possible.
• Is the battery providing power? Use a voltmeter or multimeter to
check the voltage of the battery or simply replace with a fresh 9 volt
battery.