Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
      • Instrumentation
      • Electronics
      • Electrical
      • Practical Questions
    • MCQ
      • Instrumentation MCQ
      • Electrical MCQ
      • Electronics MCQ
      • Control Systems MCQ
      • Analog Electronics MCQ
      • Digital Electronics MCQ
      • Power Electronics MCQ
      • Microprocessor MCQ
      • Multiple Choice Questions
  • EE
    • Electronics
      • Electronics Q & A
      • Electronic Basics
      • Electronic Devices & Circuits
      • Electronics Animation
      • Digital Electronics
    • Electrical
      • Electrical Basics
      • Electrical Q & A
      • Power Electronics
      • Electrical Machines
      • Electrical Animation
      • Power Systems
      • Switchgear & Protection
      • Transmission & Distribution
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Search
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Reading: Difference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • PLC Tutorials
  • Control Systems
Search
  • Ask
  • Courses
  • Videos
  • Q & A
    • Interview
    • MCQ
  • EE
    • Electronics
    • Electrical
  • Measure
    • Control Valves
    • Calibration
    • Temperature
    • Pressure
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Analyzers
    • Switches
    • Vibration
    • Solenoid Valve
  • Control
    • PLC Tutorials
    • Control Systems
    • Safety Instrumented System (SIS)
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • More
    • Design
    • Tools
    • Animation
    • Basics
    • Formulas
    • Standards
    • TextBooks
    • Common
    • Software
    • Excel Tools
    • Erection & Commissioning
    • Process Fundamentals
    • Videos
    • Books
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Electrical Basics > Difference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor

Difference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor

In this article, you will learn the difference between stepper motor and DC motor used in the electrical industrial equipment.

Last updated: May 3, 2023 9:54 am
vicky
Electrical Basics
No Comments
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

In this article, you will learn the difference between stepper motor and DC motor used in the electrical industrial equipment.

Contents
Stepper MotorDC motorDifference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor

The electric motor is one of the most widely used equipment in our day-to-day life. An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical movement in the form of rotation by the means of a shaft.

Electrical motors are of various types like DC motors, stepper motors, synchronous motors, induction motors, and servo motors. These various types of electrical motors are differentiated on the basis of their working, the electrical supply required for their functioning, and several other design factors.

Today in this article we will mainly have a discussion on two main types of electrical motors which are widely used. They are the Stepper motor and DC motor.

Stepper Motor

From the name of the stepper motor, it is clear that this motor has something to do with the steps. In the stepper motor, the rotation of the rotor is equally divided into steps and hence this motor is known as a stepper motor.

The stepper motor is a type of brushless DC motor. For producing rotations in steps, the windings of the stepper motor are placed at equal distances from each other on the stator. When the electric supply is given to the motor, these windings will become magnetic poles which will attract the rotor.

Now at a time only one winding is energized or say pulses are given to the stepper motor. The energized winding will attract the rotor towards itself. The control of the electric supply to the winding is through a controller.

This controller energizes these windings one by one and in this way, the stepper motor moves towards these windings which become poles. The controller which energizes the windings controls the whole operation of the stepper motor.

Hence, the rotations which we get out of the stepper motor are very accurate. This is the main reason why the stepper motor is used in the control systems which require accurate outputs.

DC motor

From the name of the DC motor, it is clear that this motor used a DC power supply for its functioning. DC motors are of two types. One is a brushed DC motor and the other is a brushless DC motor.

The most widely used type of DC motor is the brushed DC motor. When the stator of the DC motor receives the electrical power (DC), this stator becomes energized and produces a magnetic field.

This energized stator which becomes the magnet will attract the rotor and the rotor will start moving. The DC motor continuously rotates till the electric power is supplied to the DC motor.

Difference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor

Difference between Stepper Motor and DC Motor

Now let us see some differences between the Stepper motor and the DC motor.

Stepper MotorDC Motor
The stepper motor produces rotational movement in stepsThe DC motor provides continuous rotational motion
The movement of the stepper motor is in steps and hence it rotates in degreesThe DC motor rotates in full 360 degrees continuously
A Stepper motor is a brushless type of motorDC motor can be brushed motor and brushless motor also
The stepper motor has 3 cables for functioning i.e. power cable, ground cable, and control cableThe DC  motor has only 2 cables for functioning i.e. power and ground
The RPM of the stepper motor is very low up to 3000 RPMDC motors have a good range of RPM in thousands depending upon the type of motor
The torque of the stepper motor is high compared to that of the DC motorThe DC motors have low torque as compared to the stepper motors
The stepper motor produces accurate and precise outputThe DC motor rotates continuously hence there is no kind of accuracy that can be defined here
The stepper motor is controlled by a controllerThe DC motor requires only a switching circuit which can turn it ON and OFF as and when required
The stepper motors have a very low efficiencyThe efficiency of the DC motor is high compared to that of the stepper motor.
The application of the stepper motor are robotics, hard discs drives, printers, manufacturing plants, etcThe applications of the DC motor are lifting tools, toy cars, water pumps, etc

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • Electrical Drawings
  • Motor Cooling Methods
  • SCADA in Power System
  • What is a Buchholz Relay?
  • Cables between VFD & Motor
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !
What is Electrical Panel Door Earth Bonding? Explained
What is a Time Delay Fuse? – Principles and Advantages
Motor Control Circuit Wiring
What is Torque Boosting in Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)?
What is a Protective Relay? Principle, Advantages, Applications
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
208kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Guifty Shimica on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • MIHARITSOA Aina Sitraka on Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
  • Vaishnavi on Free Instrumentation Course for Trainee Engineers

Related Articles

Why is White Powder Used in Electrical Cables

Why is White Powder Used in Electrical Cables?

What is an HRC Fuse

What is an HRC Fuse? – Material, Types, Advantages

Top 100 Electrical Machines Projects for Electrical Engineers

Top 100 Electrical Machines Projects for Electrical Engineers

Floating Neutral - Electrical Engineering Basics

What is Floating Neutral? – Electrical Engineering Basics

Difference Between Regenerative and Dynamic Braking

Difference Between Regenerative and Dynamic Braking

Acceptable Earth Resistance Values

Acceptable Earth Resistance Values

Why is Motor Control Required in Control Systems

Why is Motor Control Required in Control Systems?

Understanding Braking Theory in VFD

Understanding Braking Theory in VFD

More Articles

Instrument Protection Methods: Seals

Coaxial

Fiber Optic Cable vs Coaxial Cable

Troubleshooting Magnetic Flow Meters Common Problems

Troubleshooting Magnetic Flow Meters Common Problems

Siemens Tia Portal PLC Training Course

Siemens Tia Portal PLC Training Course

Sensor Trim and Output Trim in Smart Transmitter

What is Sensor Trim and Output Trim in Smart Transmitter?

DDE Protocol

What is the DDE Protocol?

Boiler Light-Up Sequence - Power Plant Operation

Boiler Light-Up Sequence – Power Plant Operation

Basic Instrumentation Test

Basic Instrumentation Test

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?