2-Wire vs. 3-Wire Brushless Motors

BLDC BrushLess Direct Current Motors

2-wire brushless motors offer simplicity and ease of use. These are powered by simply applying voltage. The speed can be controlled by varying the voltage or through the use of PWM (pulse width modulation). These are commonly used in lower grade applications being they are less efficient and do not offer precise control. Depending on the exact motor, motor direction can sometimes be changed by reversing the polarity.

3-wire brushless motors offer higher efficiency and smoother, more precise control. Each wire typically represents one phase of the motor, otherwise known as windings or coils. These typically require a compatible ESC (electronic speed controller), to manage the timing sequence of power applied to each of the (3) coils. The ESC is sometimes built inside the motor assembly such as part 4686-PN00220-ND, included externally such as 1738-FIT0633-ND | 1738-FIT0632-ND, or purchased separately. Along with controlling the timing, the ESC is also responsible for varying the speed and rotational direction of the motor.

Tech Tip: “Sensored” BLDC motors and compatible ESC offer even further efficiency and control, while also reducing or eliminating startup hesitation (cogging) since the controller knows the precise position of the armature.

Tech Tip: The 3 wires can be connected in any order on the speed controller output, if the motor spins in the wrong direction, simply swap any 2 of the 3 wires to reverse the rotation.

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Related Topics

How can I run two brushless DC motors at simultaneous RPM?

Applicable Part Numbers
DK Part # Mfr Part #
1670-VW0625AB001G-ND VW0625AB001G
1568-ROB-20441-ND ROB-20441
505-QBL4208-41-04-006-ND QBL4208-41-04-006
505-QBL4208-61-04-013-ND QBL4208-61-04-013
668-HD-EM0802-LW30-R-ND HD-EM0802-LW30-R
1670-VW0525AB001D-ND VW0525AB001D
1670-VW0825AB001G-ND VW0825AB001G
668-HD-EM0602-LW15-R-ND HD-EM0602-LW15-R
942-BML5C01CH3-ND BML5C01CH3
942-DIA42B10W-ND DIA42B 10W
1670-VZ7AL2B1692082-L15-ND VZ7AL2B1692082-L15
1670-VG1030001XH-ND VG1030001XH
1670-VW1234AB001U-ND VW1234AB001U
1670-VZ3TH5B3120076P-ND VZ3TH5B3120076P
1670-VZ3TL2B3120034P-ND VZ3TL2B3120034P
1670-VG2080001-175H-ND VG2080001-175H
4052-C0625BLDCL12-ND C0625BLDCL12
4052-C1234BLDCL45-ND C1234BLDCL45
4052-C1234BLDCL45F-ND C1234BLDCL45F
4052-C0825BLDCL12-ND C0825BLDCL12
3982-DCM-1035-ND DCM-1035
4677-SE020A-ND SE020A
4677-SM100B-ND SM100B
4686-PN00220-ND PN00220
4677-SCM010-ND SCM010
4677-SE010A-ND SE010A
4677-SCM020-ND SCM020
4677-SCM040-ND SCM040
4677-SE040A-ND SE040A
4677-SH100C-ND SH100C
4677-SCM200-ND SCM200
4677-SH200B-ND SH200B
2090-BL23E22-01D-06RO-ND BL23E22-01D-06RO
2090-BL34E34-01D-05RO-ND BL34E34-01D-05RO
1738-1157-ND FIT0441
2090-BL17E19-01-RO-ND BL17E19-01-RO
505-QBL5704-116-04-042-ND QBL5704-116-04-042
403-3011162008-ND 3011162008
2090-BL17E19-01D-03RO-ND BL17E19-01D-03RO
2090-BL17E19-02D-03RO-ND BL17E19-02D-03RO
505-QBL4208-61-04-013-1K-ND QBL4208-61-04-013-1K
2090-BL17E40-01D-05RO-ND BL17E40-01D-05RO
2090-BL23E33-01D-04RO-ND BL23E33-01D-04RO
381-3629-ND VM.VD4915BK1
403-3011223006-ND 3011223006
403-3011223003-ND 3011223003
403-3011222008-ND 3011222008
2090-SBL60D2-03-ND SBL60D2-03
381-3632-ND VG.ECI4240BK1.PP42.2.30
403-3011224007-ND 3011224007
2090-SBL80D3-03-ND SBL80D3-03
381-3649-ND VM.VDC4915BK4
403-7011905341-ND 7011905341
505-QBL4208-81-04-019-ND QBL4208-81-04-019
505-QBL5704-94-04-032-ND QBL5704-94-04-032
505-QBL4208-100-04-025-ND QBL4208-100-04-025
505-QBL4208-100-04-025-1K-ND QBL4208-100-04-025-1K
381-3627-ND VM.ECI4240BK1
381-3631-ND VG.ECI4240BK1.PP42.1.5
381-3628-ND VM.ECI6340BK1
505-PD42-2-1670-TMCL-ND PD42-2-1670-TMCL
381-3643-ND VG.VD4915BK1.EC75.1.4
505-PD42-3-1670-CANOPEN-ND PD42-3-1670-CANOPEN
505-PD42-3-1670-TMCL-ND PD42-3-1670-TMCL
381-3633-ND VG.ECI4240BK1.EC52.1.4
381-3641-ND VG.VD4915BK1.P63.1.5
403-3011222007-ND 3011222007
381-3642-ND VG.VD4915BK1.P63.2.30
381-3634-ND VG.ECI4240BK1.EC52.2.33
381-3640-ND VG.ECI6360DK1.PP63.2.30
381-3637-ND VG.ECI6340BK1.EC75.1.4
381-3644-ND VG.VD4915BK1.EC75.2.33
381-3638-ND VG.ECI6340BK1.EC75.2.33
403-7011906118-ND 7011906118
381-3648-ND VM.ECI6340BK4
403-3011162006-ND 3011162006
403-3011223002-ND 3011223002
2090-BL17E28-01D-03RO-ND BL17E28-01D-03RO
403-3011223001-ND 3011223001
403-3013162002-ND 3013162002
403-3013162001-ND 3013162001
403-3013162005-ND 3013162005
403-3011222005-ND 3011222005
381-3630-ND VM.ECI6360DK1
381-3635-ND VG.ECI6340BK1.P63.1.5
403-3011224008-ND 3011224008
403-3011224000-ND 3011224000
403-7011906117-ND 7011906117
381-3639-ND VG.ECI6360DK1.PP63.1.5
381-3636-ND VG.ECI6340BK1.P63.2.30
403-3011224004-ND 3011224004
403-7011905340-ND 7011905340
403-7011906002-ND 7011906002
403-3011352007-ND 3011352007
966-1924-ND 80149509
966-1644-ND 80141013
966-1645-ND 80141015
966-1669-ND 80281019
2090-BL17E28-01-RO-ND BL17E28-01-RO
1589-MMS742038-24-S1-1-ND MMS742038-24-S1-1
1589-MMS742038-24-R1-1-ND MMS742038-24-R1-1
1589-MMS742052-24-S1-1-ND MMS742052-24-S1-1
1589-MMS742052-24-R1-1-ND MMS742052-24-R1-1
1589-MMS742077-24-S1-1-ND MMS742077-24-S1-1
1589-MMS742077-24-R1-1-ND MMS742077-24-R1-1
1589-MMS742105-24-S1-1-ND MMS742105-24-S1-1
1589-MMS757094-36-S1-1-ND MMS757094-36-S1-1
1589-MMS757094-36-R1-1-ND MMS757094-36-R1-1
1589-MMS742105-24-R1-1-ND MMS742105-24-R1-1
1589-MMS757141-36-S1-1-ND MMS757141-36-S1-1
1589-MMS757141-36-R1-1-ND MMS757141-36-R1-1
1589-MMS757188-36-S1-1-ND MMS757188-36-S1-1
1589-MMS757188-36-R1-1-ND MMS757188-36-R1-1
2090-SLU22CH048-24-M16-1024-ND SLU22CH048-24-M16-1024
2090-SBL40D1-04-ND SBL40D1-04
2090-SLU16CH036-24-G103-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-G103-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH036-24-G172-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-G172-M16-1024
2090-SBL40D2-02-ND SBL40D2-02
2090-SLU16CH052-24-G172-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH052-24-G172-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH052-24-G406-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH052-24-G406-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH036-24-G21-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-G21-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH036-24-G83-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-G83-M16-1024
2090-SBL60D1-03-ND SBL60D1-03
2090-SLU30CH064-24-M24-1024-ND SLU30CH064-24-M24-1024
2090-SLU16CH036-24-G406-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-G406-M16-1024
2090-SBL60D2-02-ND SBL60D2-02
2090-SLU22CH048-24-G111-M16-1024-ND SLU22CH048-24-G111-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH052-24-G21-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH052-24-G21-M16-1024
2090-SLU16CH052-24-G83-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH052-24-G83-M16-1024
2090-SLU22CH048-24-G16-M16-1024-ND SLU22CH048-24-G16-M16-1024
2090-SLU30CH064-24-G35-M24-1024-ND SLU30CH064-24-G35-M24-1024
2090-SLU30CH064-24-G100-M24-1024-ND SLU30CH064-24-G100-M24-1024
2090-SBL80D2-01-ND SBL80D2-01
2090-SLU22CH048-24-G546-M16-1024-ND SLU22CH048-24-G546-M16-1024
2090-SLU30CH064-24-G253-M24-1024-ND SLU30CH064-24-G253-M24-1024
1670-VW0934AB001G-ND VW0934AB001G
1670-VW0934AB007G-ND VW0934AB007G
2685-MOT-BL-42S1-24V-ND MOT-BL-42S1-24V
2685-MOT-BL-57S6R-24V-ND MOT-BL-57S6R-24V
2685-MOT-I-81576-CS-ND MOT-I-81576-CS
2685-MOT-BL-42S4-24V-ND MOT-BL-42S4-24V
5293-3000003959-ND 3000003959
942-121388800010A-ND 121388800010A
3026-OVU00212-004-ND OVU00212-004
3026-OVU00213-004-ND OVU00213-004
3026-OVU00243-004-ND OVU00243-004
2685-MOT-I-81535-ND MOT-I-81535
2685-MOT-I-81465-ND MOT-I-81465
966-1909-ND 80280501
2090-BL17E28-02D-03RO-ND BL17E28-02D-03RO
3026-OVU00244-004-ND OVU00244-004
2090-BL23E22-02D-05RO-ND BL23E22-02D-05RO
2685-MOT-I-81614-ND MOT-I-81614
2090-BL34E21-02D-03RO-ND BL34E21-02D-03RO
2090-BL17E40-02D-03RO-ND BL17E40-02D-03RO
2685-MOT-I-81670-BL42H-ND MOT-I-81670-BL42H
2090-BL34E21-01D-07RO-ND BL34E21-01D-07RO
2685-MOT-I-81522-ND MOT-I-81522
2685-MOT-I-81491-L-ND MOT-I-81491-L
3026-OVU20012-ND OVU20012
2090-SBL80D1-03-ND SBL80D1-03
4170-BL23E33-02-HP05-ND BL23E33-02-HP05
4677-SCM100-ND SCM100
4677-SCM100-E-ND SCM100-E
4677-SH100B-ND SH100B
4170-BL23E48-02-HP20-ND BL23E48-02-HP20
966-1646-ND,2266-80141017-ND 80141017
966-1647-ND,2266-80141019-ND 80141019
966-1648-ND,2266-80141022-ND 80141022
966-1650-ND 80149518
3026-OVU00247-ND OVU00247
966-1655-ND,2266-80149528-ND 80149528
966-1643-ND,2266-80141005-ND 80141005
966-1663-ND,2266-80281006-ND 80281006
966-1664-ND,2266-80281008-ND 80281008
966-1665-ND,2266-80281010-ND 80281010
966-1667-ND,2266-80281014-ND 80281014
966-1662-ND 80280302
2685-MOT-BL-42S3-24V-ND MOT-BL-42S3-24V
2685-MOT-BL-57S2R-36V-ND MOT-BL-57S2R-36V
5293-3000001370-ND 3000001370
5293-3000003967-ND 3000003967
2685-MOT-BL-57S3R-36V-ND MOT-BL-57S3R-36V
2685-MOT-BL-57S4R-36V-ND MOT-BL-57S4R-36V
2685-MOT-BL-4266A-24V-ND MOT-BL-4266A-24V
2685-MOT-I-81685-ND MOT-I-81685
4170-BL23E33-02-HP10-ND BL23E33-02-HP10
4170-BL23E22-02-HP05-ND BL23E22-02-HP05
4170-BL23E22-02-HP10-ND BL23E22-02-HP10
2685-MOT-I-81542-A-ND MOT-I-81542-A
4170-BL23E48-02-HP10-ND BL23E48-02-HP10
4170-BL23E48-02-HP05-ND BL23E48-02-HP05
4170-BL23E22-02-HP20-ND BL23E22-02-HP20
4170-BL23E22-02-HP50-ND BL23E22-02-HP50
4170-BL23E33-02-HP50-ND BL23E33-02-HP50
4170-BL23E33-02-HP20-ND BL23E33-02-HP20
4170-BL23E48-02-HP50-ND BL23E48-02-HP50
403-3011162009-ND 3011162009
2090-BL34E27-02D-03RO-ND BL34E27-02D-03RO
2090-BL23E48-02D-03RO-ND BL23E48-02D-03RO
505-PD42-1-1670-TMCL-ND PD42-1-1670-TMCL
505-PD42-1-1670-CANOPEN-ND PD42-1-1670-CANOPEN
966-1660-ND 80280007
942-DIX36B-ND DIX36B
1738-FIT0633-ND FIT0633
1738-FIT0632-ND FIT0632
942-DIA42B20W-ND DIA42B 20W
403-3011162004-ND 3011162004
505-PD42-2-1670-CANOPEN-ND PD42-2-1670-CANOPEN
966-1641-ND 80140059
403-3011352005-ND 3011352005
966-1908-ND 80180506
2090-BL23E33-02D-03RO-ND BL23E33-02D-03RO
403-3011222006-ND 3011222006
403-3011224002-ND 3011224002
403-3011352003-ND 3011352003
403-3011224010-ND 3011224010
403-3011224011-ND 3011224011
403-3011224003-ND 3011224003
403-3011352002-ND 3011352002
403-7011905898-ND 7011905898
966-1661-ND 80280013
966-1652-ND 80149523
966-1653-ND 80149525
966-1654-ND 80149527
966-1659-ND 80280001
966-1671-ND 80289713
966-1907-ND 80140510
1188-MG-6-48-ND MG-6-48
1188-MG-6-120-ND MG-6-120
1670-VZ4FC1B0951788UTR-ND,1670-VZ4FC1B0951788UCT-ND,1670-VZ4FC1B0951788UDKR-ND VZ4FC1B0951788U
1670-VZ6DC1B1750093-ND VZ6DC1B1750093
1188-MOTOR-KV1000-ND MOTOR-KV1000
1738-FIT1001-ND FIT1001
2090-SLU16CH036-24-M16-1024-ND SLU16CH036-24-M16-1024
1670-VW0625SS001D-ND VW0625SS001D
1471-MIKROE-4302-ND MIKROE-4302
2090-BL17E19-02-RO-ND BL17E19-02-RO
2090-BL23E22-02-RO-ND BL23E22-02-RO
2090-BL23E22-01-RO-ND BL23E22-01-RO
2090-BL17E28-02-RO-ND BL17E28-02-RO
2090-BL17E40-01-RO-ND BL17E40-01-RO
2090-BL17E40-02-RO-ND BL17E40-02-RO
942-BLDC40P30A-ND BLDC40P30A
2090-BL23E33-01-RO-ND BL23E33-01-RO
942-BLDC24P24A-ND BLDC24P24A
942-BLDC24P16A-ND BLDC24P16A
942-BLDC36P16A-ND BLDC36P16A
942-BLDC36P35-ND BLDC36P35
942-BLDC40P20A-ND BLDC40P20A
2090-BL34E21-02-RO-ND BL34E21-02-RO
2090-BL23E48-02-RO-ND BL23E48-02-RO
2090-BL23E33-02-RO-ND BL23E33-02-RO
2090-BL34E21-01-RO-ND BL34E21-01-RO
2090-BL34E34-01-RO-ND BL34E34-01-RO
2090-BL34E27-02-RO-ND BL34E27-02-RO
942-BLDC40P10A-ND BLDC40P10A
942-BLDC40S40A-ND BLDC40S40A
966-1640-ND 80140051
80149511-ND 80149511
966-1639-ND 80140043
966-1651-ND 80149520
80149623-ND 80149623
80149624-ND 80149624
80149519-ND 80149519
80149632-ND 80149632
80149516-ND 80149516
80149524-ND 80149524
80149633-ND 80149633
80149521-ND 80149521
80149522-ND 80149522
80141018-ND 80141018
80141020-ND 80141020
80149625-ND 80149625
80149626-ND 80149626
80141021-ND 80141021
80149627-ND 80149627
80149526-ND 80149526
80141026-ND 80141026
80149635-ND 80149635
966-1649-ND 80141025
80141023-ND 80141023
80141024-ND 80141024
80149634-ND 80149634
80149636-ND 80149636
80149628-ND 80149628
80149629-ND 80149629
80149630-ND 80149630
80149631-ND 80149631
80149637-ND 80149637
80149513-ND 80149513
80149638-ND 80149638
80149639-ND 80149639
80149640-ND 80149640
966-1642-ND 80140301
80180051-ND 80180051
80149529-ND 80149529
966-1657-ND 80149642
80149641-ND 80149641
80141012-ND 80141012
80141014-ND 80141014
80281007-ND 80281007
80281009-ND 80281009
80149531-ND 80149531
966-1656-ND 80149530
80149532-ND 80149532
966-1670-ND 80289710
80149644-ND 80149644
80149645-ND 80149645
80149512-ND 80149512
80149643-ND 80149643
966-1666-ND 80281012
80281015-ND 80281015
966-1658-ND 80180301
80281011-ND 80281011
80281013-ND 80281013
966-1672-ND 80289716
80149646-ND 80149646
80149648-ND 80149648
80289711-ND 80289711
80289712-ND 80289712
80149647-ND 80149647
80149649-ND 80149649
966-1673-ND 80289717
80289718-ND 80289718
80289714-ND 80289714
80289715-ND 80289715
80149514-ND 80149514
80289719-ND 80289719
80289721-ND 80289721
966-1674-ND 80289720
80149510-ND 80149510
80281016-ND 80281016
80281018-ND 80281018
966-1675-ND 80289722
966-1668-ND 80281017
80281020-ND 80281020
966-1676-ND 80289723
80289724-ND 80289724
966-1677-ND 80289725
80289726-ND 80289726
80289727-ND 80289727
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-DIO-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-DIO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-DIO-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-DIO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-CO-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-CO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-EC-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-EC
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-EP-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-EP
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-PN-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TE-PN
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-DIO-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-DIO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-CO-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-CO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-PN-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-PN
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-EP-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-EP
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-EC-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TE-EC
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-CO-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-CO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-EC-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-EC
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-EP-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-EP
2171-EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-PN-ND EMCA-EC-67-S-1TM-PN
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-DIO-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-DIO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-CO-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-CO
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-EC-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-EC
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-EP-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-EP
2171-EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-PN-ND EMCA-EC-67-M-1TM-PN
3982-DCM-1031-ND DCM-1031
80081001-ND 80081001
80081002-ND 80081002
80081003-ND 80081003
80081004-ND 80081004
80081006-ND 80081006
80089704-ND 80089704
80089705-ND 80089705
80089706-ND 80089706
80141001-ND 80141001
80141002-ND 80141002
80141003-ND 80141003
80141004-ND 80141004
80149604-ND 80149604
966-1815-ND 80149605
80149606-ND 80149606
80180001-ND 80180001
80180002-ND 80180002
80181001-ND 80181001
80181002-ND 80181002
80181003-ND 80181003
80181004-ND 80181004
80181010-ND 80181010
80181011-ND 80181011
80181012-ND 80181012
80181013-ND 80181013
80181015-ND 80181015
80189701-ND 80189701
80189702-ND 80189702
80189703-ND 80189703
80189704-ND 80189704
80189705-ND 80189705
80189706-ND 80189706
750-90002-ND 750-90002
80030002-ND 80030002
80030003-ND 80030003
80032504-ND 80032504
80035511-ND 80035511
80042001-ND 80042001
80049603-ND 80049603
1597-1207-ND 108990008
1597-1208-ND 108990009
1597-1209-ND 108990010
80141006-ND 80141006
80149501-ND 80149501
80149505-ND 80149505
80149506-ND 80149506
80149507-ND 80149507
80149601-ND 80149601
80149602-ND 80149602
80149603-ND 80149603
80149616-ND 80149616
80149617-ND 80149617
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