Engineers a lil help re: motor theory text book

[Van Huskey]

I find myself growing more and more interested in motor theory. I am interested in getting a book on said subject, what I am looking for would be what would be used for the first class in motor theory. I have (or had) a decent grasp on calculas based physics and basic electricity, and not really worried about the math since I didn't give up on math until Diffy Qs hit me like a brick wall AND I don't care to work the equations I just want to understand the science behind them, or try. Point being I think (hope) I can muddle through and gain a minamal understanding without resorting to motor theory for dummies. What I seem to find on the web is either written for engineers, mainly describing a product or papers on very specific applications OR wikipedia level surveys. Hopefully, the text will have an older edition because their resell becomes almost nothing since you want the current edition for most classes, the reality of current text books was a shock when my wife went back to school, she has paid as much for one book as I paid for 5 classes worth of law casebooks! I hope this is on topic for this forum since it is directly related to machines.

[Greg Portland]

I find myself growing more and more interested in motor theory. I am interested in getting a book on said subject, what I am looking for would be what would be used for the first class in motor theory. I have (or had) a decent grasp on calculas based physics and basic electricity, and not really worried about the math since I didn't give up on math until Diffy Qs hit me like a brick wall AND I don't care to work the equations I just want to understand the science behind them, or try. Point being I think (hope) I can muddle through and gain a minamal understanding without resorting to motor theory for dummies. What I seem to find on the web is either written for engineers, mainly describing a product or papers on very specific applications OR wikipedia level surveys. Hopefully, the text will have an older edition because their resell becomes almost nothing since you want the current edition for most classes, the reality of current text books was a shock when my wife went back to school, she has paid as much for one book as I paid for 5 classes worth of law casebooks! I hope this is on topic for this forum since it is directly related to machines.
Are you looking for:
a) The detailed theory (derive the equations, etc.)?
b) General how-to (changing the # of windings results in XYZ, etc.)?

A good website that covers the basics: http://www.reliance.com/mtr/mtrthrmn.htm

Some good books are listed below. For the out of print books, search the used booksellers online (open library is a good search engine):
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Machinery-Fitzgerald/dp/0073660094
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Handbook-Electrical-Engineers-Donald/dp/0070220050 (good chapters on motors, covers all EE basics)
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Electronics-Paul-Horowitz/dp/0521370957 (another good 'all EE' book; focuses less on the theory)
http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Motors-Richard-L-Nailen/dp/0943876095 (This is a good practical use / understanding book)

[Van Huskey]

Are you looking for:
a) The detailed theory (derive the equations, etc.)?
b) General how-to (changing the # of windings results in XYZ, etc.)?

A good website that covers the basics: http://www.reliance.com/mtr/mtrthrmn.htm



Thanks! I want more of the theory. I want to teach myself to fish not go to the market (internet) and buy a fish, so that I might eat forever.

The first book looks very interesting and may just be what I need, it did mention it was a new edition so the older one is probably much cheaper, will search for it if it ends up as the choice.

Edit found the last edition for under $20 shipped, sure beats $170!

[Dan Friedrichs]

Van,

I have (and have taught from) "Electrical Engineering: Principles and Applications" by Hambley (http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Engineering-Principles-Applications-3rd/dp/0131470469). It's mostly intro EE stuff, but there are 3 chapters at the end on magnetics, DC motors, and AC motors. It's introductory, and intended for other (non-electrical) engineering disciplines who need a basic understanding. For $3 used on Amazon, the 3 motors chapters at the end might be worth it. I find it a good reference for all basic EE things, as it presents things in a very intuitive manner.

[Van Huskey]

Van,

I have (and have taught from) "Electrical Engineering: Principles and Applications" by Hambley (http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Engineering-Principles-Applications-3rd/dp/0131470469). It's mostly intro EE stuff, but there are 3 chapters at the end on magnetics, DC motors, and AC motors. It's introductory, and intended for other (non-electrical) engineering disciplines who need a basic understanding. For $3 used on Amazon, the 3 motors chapters at the end might be worth it. I find it a good reference for all basic EE things, as it presents things in a very intuitive manner.

For $8 shipped I will definately pick it up, even though I plan to get a more motorcentric book it may have supporting information I could use as well! Thanks

[Mike Henderson]

If no one has already recommended this one, let me put in a plug for it. I find it a good mid technical book on motors - Electric Motors and Drives by Hughes.
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Motors-Drives-Fundamentals-Applications/dp/0750647183/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330720655&sr=1-1

Electric Machinery by Fitzgerald is also good but I go to Hughes book first.

Mike

[Van Huskey]

If no one has already recommended this one, let me put in a plug for it. I find it a good mid technical book on motors - Electric Motors and Drives by Hughes.
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Motors-Drives-Fundamentals-Applications/dp/0750647183/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330720655&sr=1-1

Electric Machinery by Fitzgerald is also good but I go to Hughes book first.

Mike

That is a third one I am really interested in, looks like I may have be building a motor library!

[Steve Meliza]

Here is some fairly basic stuff that is conceptual in nature rather than equations: http://www.hnsa.org/doc/neets/mod05.pdf

[Dan Hintz]

I would choose one, and after reading it through, supplement any lacking areas of knowledge with Google. You'll have a better idea what you do/don't know once you've read a book on the subject.

[Van Huskey]

Dan, I don't diagree in theory but buying the past edition is so cheap I can get half a library for the cost of one new. I am a book nut, I think my wife and I have about 5,000 volumes everything from the climbing guides for the Himalayas to Shakespeare to a tome like guide to Pacific Acropora species to molecular gastronomy cook books. Books is good and books that can be used to rebuild society worth some fuel or food when dem dare end times comes.

[Myk Rian]

Might want to look at the Audels series of books.

[Dan Hintz]

I'm an info hoarder, so books go along with the territory... but after moving an average of every 9 months for 6+ years, I finally gave in and thinned out the collection (I was losing friends ;)).

[Carl Beckett]

I'm an info hoarder, so books go along with the territory... but after moving an average of every 9 months for 6+ years, I finally gave in and thinned out the collection (I was losing friends ;)).


Ya. My wife is the same. 4500# of books internationally. Then a couple domestic moves. Uggghhh!

If you ever get to Powells bookstore in Portland, OR - The 'technical' annex has a free swap bin. Pretty much any technical book you can imagine in there for free (I just throw my old ones in when purging - as mentioned, the older editions are low $$).

[Van Huskey]

I'm an info hoarder, so books go along with the territory... but after moving an average of every 9 months for 6+ years, I finally gave in and thinned out the collection (I was losing friends ;)).


If we moved that often I would have about 3 books...