Did you know before electric cars, DC motors were used in CD players? When it comes to the motor in your car, do you know if you have an AC or a DC motor? In order to choose the right car brakes, it is important to know how your car accelerates and brakes.
Learn more about choosing the perfect DC brakes for your car.
Car Brakes
Depending on your car’s motor, there are specific brakes you should be using on your car to ensure it is staying in top shape.
First, you must learn if your car falls into the category of DC or AC motors. If it is a DC motor, which is short for a direct-current motor, this is the most common motor. For example, an AC motor is in the Tesla Model S, but a DC motor is in the Tesla Model 3. You will quickly learn there are three types of braking mechanisms.
If your car has an AC motor, also known as alternating current, it tends to be more expensive, durable and is low-cost for manufacturers. AC motors are also used in your everyday small home appliances. Some examples are clocks, fans, and washing machines, to name a few.
DC Motor Brakes
DC motors function with electrical braking and not mechanical. In other words, the motor is being stopped through voltage and an electrical current. Mechanical braking happens when friction occurs on the rotors.
Regenerative Braking
The first kind of breaking in DC brakes is regenerative braking. This comes pretty standard in electric cars and can save you on electric mileage. This starts happening as soon as you take your foot off the brake. The car is going to start braking, which reverses the energy of the current. When this is happening, it is acting as a generator.
If you are looking to stop in a hurry, you’ll want to put your foot on the actual brake, instead of letting the car take its time to slow down. Regenerative braking is a gradual slowing of the car, not a quick stop.
Dynamic Braking
During this braking, the motor is working as a generator. This is a less effective kind of braking because the heat is dissipated. The supply of electricity is taken away, and placed on the armature–which is the rotating coil on the electric motor. Since this is an automatic switch, the car can stop abruptly.
Plugging
In this kind of braking, the DC motor is reversed and high torque is produced. This is not useful because twice the supply of voltage is depleted. This kind of braking is often seen in cranes, elevators, and other industrial equipment.
Read More Today
Although a lot of these car terms can be confusing, it is important to understand how your electric car works. When it comes to car brakes, you should be using regenerative braking when possible. You’ll save on electric mileage and energy. Be sure to read our other blogs on technology, lifestyle, and entertainment.
