Overview
There are two types of brushless DC (BLDC) motors:
- High-performance motors - high KV (lower resistance ~0.1Ω)
- Gimbal motors - low KV (higher resistance ~10Ω).
KV Value
The KV value of a motor indicates its RPM per volt. A higher KV value means the motor will spin faster at a given voltage, while a lower KV value indicates more torque but less speed.
Internal Resistance
The internal resistance of a motor affects its efficiency and heat generation. A lower resistance allows for higher current flow and better performance, while a higher resistance can lead to increased heat and reduced efficiency.
How to measure internal resistance
You measure the resistance between each of the three pairs of motor leads and then take the average of those three values to get your final line-to-line resistance. Here's the process summarized:
- Measure the resistance between U and V.
- Measure the resistance between V and W.
- Measure the resistance between U and W.
- Average the three readings.
How to choose a motor
If your machine requires high torque (0.5 Nm or more), consider using a high-performance motor paired with a gearbox, such as a planetary gearbox. Otherwise, we recommend using a gimbal motor because choosing a high-performance motor without clear torque requirements can introduce unnecessary complexity and expense.