I've heard that hair dryers with AC motors are better then dryers with DC motors. Why? Is it just because they last longer?
Probably for the same reason we do not use electric cars with fuel cells. There are a ton of good old DC motors hauling out there. The simplicity of the system makes them work and easy to diagonose and fix. The biggest draw(funny huh) back to DC is the damage that is done to the switching gear turning them on and off due to the arc that is pulled on DC comared to AC. The other trick is that generators by default create AC, which is then turned into DC, which has some loss in the process.
OD gave you a very good advantage disadvantage list as for hair dryer! HMMM! AC motors are 3600 RPM maximum, for sure it will last much longer than DC motor that can go 10 000 RPM or more but would not be able to deliver the air flow Anita
Advantages of AC motors: Simple Design Low Cost Reliable Operation Easily Found Replacements Variety of Mounting Styles Many Different Environmental Enclosures Disadvantages of AC motors: Expensive speed control Inability to operate at low speeds Poor positioning control Advantages of DC motors: Easy to understand design Easy to control speed Easy to control torque Simple, cheap drive design Disadvantages of DC motors: Expensive to produce Can't reliably control at lowest speeds Physically larger High maintenance Dust I know this is a little much for talking about hair dryers, but it is some basic information. For more check the link below:
