How many DC motor wiring configurations are possible?

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 5

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that DC motors have three fundamental winding configurations: series wound, shunt wound, and compound wound. In series winding, the armature and field are in series, giving high starting torque but speed that varies a lot with load. In shunt winding, the field is connected in parallel with the armature, producing more stable speed under changing loads but typically lower starting torque. The compound winding combines both approaches by having the field wound both in series with and in parallel to the armature, offering a compromise between torque and speed behavior. Within the compound category there are two common subtypes (cumulative and differential), which are variations of the same configuration rather than separate primary types. So, the three primary wiring configurations are series, shunt, and compound.