2-Pole Motor vs. 4-Pole Motor: What Is The Difference Between 2-Pole Motor and 4-Pole Motor?

In the world of motors, there are two types of motors: 2-pole motor and 4-pole motor. How do these motors differ? Read more here.
2 Pole Motor vs. 4 Pole Motor: 7 Key Differences, Pros & Cons, FAQs

2 Pole Motors vs. 4 Pole Motors: A Motor is an electric device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is in the form of torque. 2-pole and 4-pole motors are common types of electric motors. Both motors operate on the Michael Faraday electromagnetic induction principle. The main difference between 2 pole and 4 pole motors is in the number of electromagnets they contain. A 2 pole motor has two electromagnets, while a 4 pole motor has four electromagnets.

Let’s take a closer look at 2-pole Motor versus 4-pole Motor:

Number of Poles2 pole motor has two poles, while 4 pole motor has four poles
SpeedIf we compare speed in 2 pole vs. 4 pole motors, 2 pole motors have high speed
Efficiency2 pole motor is more efficient than 4 pole motor
WorkingBoth motors work on the same electromagnetic induction principle

What is a 2 Pole Motor?

What is a 2 Pole Motor? A motor that contains two poles, one north, and one south, is known as a two pole motor. This motor is cylindrical in shape. The number of stator windings can provide a reasonable number of poles, ranging from 2 to 12. Motor with more than 12 poles are also available but not in everyday use. Less number of poles means high speed. Therefore the 2 pole motor has a higher speed than the 4 pole motor. The RPM of the 2 pole motor is 3600, and it has a north-south configuration.

A motor that contains two poles, one north, and one south, is known as a two pole motor. This motor is cylindrical in shape. The number of stator windings can provide a reasonable number of poles, ranging from 2 to 12. Motor with more than 12 poles are also available but not in everyday use. Less number of poles means high speed. Therefore the 2 pole motor has a higher speed than the 4 pole motor. The RPM of the 2 pole motor is 3600, and it has a north-south configuration. 

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What is a 4 Pole Motor?

What is a 4 Pole Motor? The type of motor with four magnetic poles is known as a four pole motor. This motor has a north-south-north-south configuration. The 4 pole motor has low speed due to the four poles. This motor also has fewer revolutions per minute and consumes more energy if compared to a 4 pole Vs. 2 pole motor. This motor is suitable for heavy power but less efficient. This motor doesn’t have good noise power. And have double work output then a motor with 2 poles.

The type of motor with four magnetic poles is known as a four pole motor. This motor has a north-south-north-south configuration. The 4 pole motor has low speed due to the four poles. This motor also has fewer revolutions per minute and consumes more energy if compared to a 4 pole Vs. 2 pole motor. This motor is suitable for heavy power but less efficient. This motor doesn’t have good noise power. And have double work output then a motor with 2 poles.

7 Key Differences Between 2 Pole and 4 Pole Motor

Components2 Pole Motor4 Pole Motor
Description2 pole motor is a motor that consists of two magnetic pole or single pair of a magnetic pole4 pole motor consists of 4 magnetic poles or two pairs of magnetic poles
Number of CyclesThe rotor of the 2 pole motor completes the single cycle for every source cycle 4 pole motor completes the half-cycle for every source cycle
GearboxThe gearbox is essential for 2 pole motorThere is no need for a gearbox for 4 pole motor
ConfigurationThere is a north-south configuration in 2 pole motorIn 4 pole motor, there is the north-south-north-south configuration
Work Output2 pole motor has less work output as compared to motors with a higher number of poles4 pole motor has more work output than 2 pole motor
Noise Performance2 pole motor has a good noise performance4 pole motor doesn’t have good noise performance
RPM2 pole motor RPM is 3,600 when connected with the source4 pole motor RPM is 1,800 when connected with the source

1 Pole vs. 2 Pole

The circuits used in our homes have two different types of the breaker. One is of single-pole, and the other is with a double pole. If we talk about 1 pole Vs. 2 pole, these both are totally different from each other. 1 pole breaker is used in a 120-volt circuit and constructed with one hot wire and one single wire. A 2 pole breaker is used with the 240-volt circuit, consisting of two hot wires.

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2 Pole Motor vs. 4 Pole Motor Pros and cons

2 Pole Motor Pros and Cons

2 pole Motor Pros and Cons

Pros of 2 Pole Motor

  • 2 pole motor is more efficient and has double speed as compared to 4 pole motor
  • The 2 pole motor has good noise power and more revolutions per minute.

Cons of 2 Pole Motor

  • A 2 pole motor is not suitable for heavy powers and cannot be used in larger devices or applications.
  • To use a 2 pole motor, there should be a gearbox. As it doesn’t work without the gearbox.

4 Pole Motor Pros and Cons

4 Pole Motor Pros and Cons

Pros of 4 Pole Motor

  • A 4 pole motor can work well for heavy power. And can be used in large applications as well.
  • The 4 pole motor can also work without the gearbox, while for some motors, it is essential.
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Cons of 4 Pole Motor

  • Higher the pole less will be the speed of the motor. Therefore a 4 pole motor has less speed than a 2 pole motor.
  • This motor is less efficient and consumes a higher amount of energy.

Comparison Chart

In the world of motors, there are two types of motors: 2-pole motor and 4-pole motor. How do these motors differ? Read more here.

Comparison Video

Explained: 2 pole vs 4 pole Alternators and the generator engines speed

FAQs

Which Is Better, 2 Pole or 4 Pole Motor?

A 2 pole motor is considered to be better because it is more efficient and has a higher speed than motors with a greater number of poles.

Are More Poles on a Motor Better?

It is not better in some cases because more poles decrease the speed of the motor, and the motor consumes more energy, which can also result in power loss.

Why Does A 2 Pole Motor Spin Faster Than A 4 Pole Motor?

Because in a 2 pole motor the rotor is spaced at 180 degree which makes a full revolution. In a 4 pole motor, there is not much space to do that; that’s why the rotor moves at half the speed of a 2 pole motor.

How Much RPM Is a 4 Pole Motor?

A 4 pole motor can rotate only at 1,800 RPM.

How Do You Change the Number of Poles?

The number of poles can easily be changed by changing the coil connection. 

Conclusion

An electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. These motors are classified into many different types according to their power source type, application, motion output, internal construction, and a number of poles. 2 pole and 4 pole motors are one of the most common types of motors. The main difference between these motors is the number of poles. The 2 pole motor contains only 2 poles. While 4 pole motor has 4 poles. 2 pole motor is more efficient and has a higher speed if compared 2 pole Vs. 4 pole motor. 

Alex Stantor
Alex Stantor

Alex Stantor is a Sorbonne University (Paris, France) graduate in Philosophy and Data Analysis. Currently, he is an Author and Researcher at Difference 101, he writes articles/blog posts on topics such as "thinking differently" and "the importance of difference". Alex is a passionate advocate of diversity in the workplace and in companies, and diversity and inclusion in corporate communications. He currently lives in Brooklyn.

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