Brushless DC Motor (BLDC)

Arrowind 5345/08 Brushless DC Outrunner Electric Motor

A Brief Description To Help You Understand Brushless DC Motors (Brushed) As Used In Various Electric Car Conversions

A Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor is a motor that has electronic commutation (no brushes) and it’s current supply is from a Direct Current (DC) source.

Brushless DC (BLDC) Motors have static stator windings and a rotor with permanent magnet(s).

Some examples of Electric Car and Electric Vehicles using Brushless DC (BLDC) Motors include, but are not limited to:

various Electric Cars 3xE Electric Cars have converted using Brushless DC Motors ranging from
- Smart ForTwo;
- Volkswagen Caddy;
- Volkswagen Golf;
- Kia Soul;
an Electric Car Conversion done to a 2003 Proton Jumpback;
the 2011 Australian TTXGP Championship winning bike – Catavolt – used a Brushless DC Hub Motor;

The advantages of Brushless DC (BLDC) Motors when used in an Electric Car Conversion are:

No brushes which means no need to replace worn out brushes;
Great to use in situations where any spark can cause explosions, since, there are no brushes to arc;
Less maintenance than Brushed DC Motors;

The disadvantages of Brushless DC (BLDC) Motors when used in an Electric Car Conversion are:

Extra cost and complexity of Motor and compatible Controller;
Harder to test i.e. You can’t just apply current to the motor and expect it to turn, as it relies on a controller to perform the task of commutation.

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