Page updated
February 2004

What is a Modified 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 modified motor is defined as follows: -

The wire is wound (turned) around each armature at least 10 times (compared to 27 times for the standard motor)
The wires can be wound in combination 'sets' - just one wire (single); two wires (double) - up to as many as six (hex). This can affect the amount of current flowing through the motor.
The brushes are arranged upright on the end-bell
Bearings are ball-races (not bronze bushes) - which enables the motor to run faster.
The end-bell is not fixed, but can be rotated relative to the rest of the motor. This changes the timing and speed characteristics of the motor.
The armature shaft has a 'flat' end where it emerges from the bell-end

The combinations available permit a greater variation of performance characteristics - from high power at lower motor speeds (the 'hex' option) to high motor speeds reached quickly (the 'single' option) - and almost anything in-between. Motors cost approximately £60.

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