Sensored Vs Sensorless Brushless Motor (Comparison In 2023)
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If you work with brushless DC motors (BLDC) and controllers, then you know about sensored and sensorless motors. There are some differences and key issues about them that you need to be aware of.
When you are using them, it will help to understand their suitability to a range of applications. Therefore, in this article, we are going to discuss sensored vs sensorless brushless motors.
We will try to give you some essential points about their mechanical and performance differences. This article will help you find the project’s best solution if you are working on some projects with them.
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Quick Comparison
| Topic | Sensored Brushless Motor | Sensorless Brushless Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Performance at high speed | Performance is better. | Cannot perform. |
| Performance at low speed | Should not use at low speed. | Perfect for low-speed machines. |
| Cost | Compared to sensorless ones, they cost a bit more. | Less costly in comparison with sensored ones. |
| Weight | Heavier than sensorless motors. | Less heavy than sensored motors. |
| Loop | Closed-loop. | Open-loop. |
| RC | Trucks, dirt cars, or bikes. | Racing cars, drones, radio control devices. |
| Damage possibility | The possibility is higher because of the wire loom. | Damage possibility is pretty low due to light wire looming. |
| Best Product | Check Here | Check Here |
What is a Sensored Brushless Motor?
Typically, a brushless motor contains magnets that can produce energy and torque according to their size and shape. A sensored brushless motor always has a built-in sensor that can detect the position of the integral rotor. The rotor helps with a quick start and seamless initial performance.
That means it will allow a smoother transition from a non-operational to the operational system. The sensor helps with constant communication with the computer or the one who is operating. You will be able to control the motor more efficiently.
The sensors are set differently on different motors. You can manage the settings in several intervals like 90-degrees, 120-degrees. Use them according to your choice.
Applications
You can use brushless sensored motors in various products. Remote control vehicles and toys are suitable options for these motors. Even electric and hybrid electric vehicles are using sensored motors. You can also use it in your computer cooling system.
Even in home-powered tools, these motors are ubiquitous to use. Therefore, you can say that they have a vast range of applications in both, consumer products and industrial or commercial products.
Advantages of Sensored Motors
The most significant advantage of these motors is performance. The sensored motor can accelerate from zero to higher RPM with smoothness. Due to this, the strength of those accelerations is noticeable. It can produce more torque at low speed compared to other brushless motors.
They are considered to be safer because of their all-time monitoring capability. Therefore, controlling your machine will be easier than others. When there is anything that goes wrong with the motors, the sensor will tell through the speed control.
Disadvantages of Sensored Motors
You will find a common problem with the sensor motor, which is a signal problem. The electronic Speed Controller (ESC) gets a signal from the controller. If there is a problem with the sensor, the ESC will not operate properly. Another problem is the price.
The manufacturers attach a separate sensor to control. Therefore, it increases the cost of the products. The design will be more complicated with the extra attachment. You cannot use them in racing cars. That is because the sensor loom can break or get loose pretty easily while on track.
What is Sensorless Brushless Motor?
You get the idea of why it is called sensorless by its name, right? That is because it does not have any built-in sensors. You will need a sensorless brushless motor controller to use these motors. The motors have permanent magnets which are attached to the rotor.
These magnets are always mounted around the edge of the motors. The motors operate in an open loop because of no built-in sensors. It uses the basic electrical concept, which is known as the back-electromotive force. When the motor picks up the speed, it generates the electro-motive force.
Applications
They are used for their high speed. If you are a drone user, you would know how significant speed is to you. Sensorless motors can provide such speed. Let’s talk about helicopters, planes, and other radio control RC.
They all need a high speed with higher efficiency. The synchronization process of sensorless motors is very good compared to sensored ones. Even a radio control buggy needs such a motor to perform appropriately.
Advantages of Sensorless Motors
When it comes to synchronizing your devices, these motors perform very well. At higher speeds, the ESC seems too tough to control for sensored motors. As they do not have extra sensors, the motors are lightweight compared to sensored ones.
The ESC alters the timing for power pulses and further sends it to motor windings. It helps to improve the efficiency and the performance of the machine at a higher speed.
Disadvantages of Sensorless Motors
The motors cannot work at low speed. If you need some extra power or torque instantly, you cannot rely on these motors. When it comes to controlling your device, it is entirely out of your hand. You cannot even get a temperature reading like the sensored ones.
What Are The Differences?
According to the discussion, there are some differences between them. You will notice their performance in terms of high and low speed. Again, immediate acceleration is only possible by sensored motors.
But that will not give you higher efficiency and synchronization like the sensorless motors. You will also see cogging in sensored motors but not in sensorless motors. It provides an upper hand to sensorless motors.
Bottom Line
Both the sensored and sensorless motors have their capability to the performance. Let’s hope the discussion of sensored vs. sensorless brushless motors gives you a decent idea about their functions and applications. It would help if you used them according to the tasks they are suitable for in your project.
