Page updated
February 2004

What is a 19 turn Motor?

The components of an electric motor are: -

The 'can' which holds the magnets in place
The 'end-bell' which houses the bearings, the brushes, and the electrical connections
The armature, which is divided into three segments around which the wire is wrapped

Electrical current passes from the end-bell connections to the brushes and through the wires wrapped around the armature. The interaction between the current and the magnets makes the motor turn.
The speed at which the motor turns, and/or the force exerted as it turns, varies according to the strength of the magnet(s) and the arrangement of the wires - as well as the amount of current flowing through the wires.
Almost any combination is possible - limited only by physical size and desired performance.

A 19 turn motor is defined as follows: -

The wire is wound (turned) around each armature segment 19 times.
The brushes can be either 'upright' or 'lay down' on the end-bell
Bearings are ball-races (not bronze bushes) - which enables the motor to run faster.
The end-bell is fixed relative to the rest of the motor.
The armature shaft has a 'flat' end where it emerges from the bell-end

This relatively minor variation on the 'standard' motor definition creates a lighter motor and faster current flow, resulting in higher motor speeds. Motors cost approximately £30.

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