What does brushless mean on a trimmer? A brushless tool uses a motor that does not have brushes. The benefits of a brushless tool are that the motor will last longer, run more efficiently, and the batteries will hold a charge longer.
Full Answer
Why Do You Need a String Trimmer?
String trimmers let you take care of areas you can’t easily reach with a lawn mower. They're helpful for sections of lawn that run along a fence line or grow against the house or trees. By using both, it's much easier to keep the landscape in shape.
Electric String Trimmers
Electric string trimmers are simpler to start and easier to maintain than gas models. The motor on an electric string trimmer also runs with less noise, emissions and vibration than a gas engine would.
Gas String Trimmers
Gas string trimmers are more powerful than many electric models and are a good choice for large areas and heavier growth. They offer better mobility and long runtimes.
String Trimmer Mowers
Also known as walk-behind string trimmers, string trimmer mowers work well in areas that are difficult to reach with a full-size mower but are too large to efficiently maintain with a handheld trimmer. These gas-powered mowers feature a trimmer head mounted on a wheeled body, offering power, mobility and a larger cutting area than handheld models.
Match Your Trimmer to Your Yard
In general, a larger landscape needs a more powerful trimmer to efficiently maintain it.
String Trimmer Features
Understand available features and specifications to choose a string trimmer that will meet your needs:
String Trimmer Maintenance
All string trimmers require proper maintenance to operate correctly. They require basic care, such as cleaning, inspection and trimmer line replacement. Cordless models also need battery care. Gas trimmers need engine maintenance, such as air filter changes, spark plug changes, and for some models, oil changes.
How does a brushless motor work?
In a brushless motor, you lose the commutator and brushes while gaining an electronic controller. Now the permanent magnets act as the rotor and rotate around on the inside while the stator is made up of the fixed electromagnetic coils now on the outside. The controller powers each coil according to what charge it needs to attract the permanent magnet.
How many poles are in a commutator?
The commutator rings are fixed to the armature coil in two (2-pole configuration), four (4-pole configuration), or more pieces. They spin with the armature. Finally, the carbon brushes stay in place and deliver the electrical charge to flow to each piece of the commutator.
How to keep a doughnut moving?
The question is how to keep that doughnut moving. There’s no simple way to do it. It starts with a set of magnets that hold a permanent charge (permanent magnets). A set of electromagnets have their charge changed (reversing polarity) while the rotation occurs so there is always an oppositely charged permanent magnet for it to move towards. In addition, the like charge that the electromagnetic coil experiences when it changes pushes the coil away. When we look at brushed vs. brushless motors, it’s how that electromagnet changes polarity that makes all the difference.
Why are brushless motors better than brushed motors?
Brushless motors offer several advantages over brushed motors thanks to the design. Much of it has to do with the loss of brushes and commutator. Since the brush is required to be in contact with the commutator to deliver a charge, it also causes friction. Friction reduces the speed that can be achieved along with building up heat. It’s like riding your bike with the brake lightly applied. Given the same amount of effort from your legs, you’ll be slower. Conversely, if you want to maintain the speed, it will take more energy from your legs. You’ll also heat up your rims from the frictional heat. This means that, compared to brushed motors, brushless motors run cooler. That gives them more efficiency, so they convert more electricity into power.
What are the parts of a brushed motor?
Looking Inside a Brushed Motor. In a brushed motor, there are four basic parts: permanent magnets, armature, commutator rings, and brushes. The permanent magnets make up the outside of the mechanism and don’t move (the stator). One is positively charged and the other negatively creating a permanent magnetic field.
Why are brushless motors important?
The electronics used in brushless motors can supply those motors with more power when needed. Because brushless motors now utilize advanced electronic controls, they can sense when they begin to slow down under load.
What is the armature of a magnet?
One is positively charged and the other negatively creating a permanent magnetic field. The armature is a coil or series of coils that become electromagnets when power is applied. This is also the part that spins (the rotor) and is usually made from copper, though aluminum is a possibility as well.
