Article: Are "engine" and "motor" the same thing?
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I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
I would agree with that. I say an engine is a motor that has pistons.
Then Rotary Engine, becomes a Rotary Motor ?
UD
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
I would agree with that. I say an engine is a motor that has pistons.
Then Rotary Engine, becomes a Rotary Motor ?
UD
In the race world engine is usually OEM and motor is a built device to make HP and go racing
It may be the engine shop, but all the wrenches refer to it as the "motor" I'm working on ...
It may be the engine shop, but all the wrenches refer to it as the "motor" I'm working on ...
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: UncleDave
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
I would agree with that. I say an engine is a motor that has pistons.
Then Rotary Engine, becomes a Rotary Motor ?
UD
I would say that a Wankel Rotary Engine is a "motor." Motor is a catch-all in my opinion; it can also be used as a verb.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
I would agree with that. I say an engine is a motor that has pistons.
Then Rotary Engine, becomes a Rotary Motor ?
UD
I would say that a Wankel Rotary Engine is a "motor." Motor is a catch-all in my opinion; it can also be used as a verb.
I don't think the search engine I used to access the forum is a motor...
OED definition of engine; A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion.
So search engine is a misnomer.
Motor; A machine that converts any form of energy into mechanical motion.
In the real world the terms are interchandeable. For automobiles engine refers to the machine that provides the power to move the vehicle and power its ancillaries.
Motor would also cover the devices that convert electrical energy into motion to start the engine, operate the wipers etc.
However I think this is largely semantics. Almost everybody using this forum won't be confused by an interchangeable term.
Claud.
OED definition of engine; A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion.
So search engine is a misnomer.
Motor; A machine that converts any form of energy into mechanical motion.
In the real world the terms are interchandeable. For automobiles engine refers to the machine that provides the power to move the vehicle and power its ancillaries.
Motor would also cover the devices that convert electrical energy into motion to start the engine, operate the wipers etc.
However I think this is largely semantics. Almost everybody using this forum won't be confused by an interchangeable term.
Claud.
Siege engines is a very early term of use.
As to electrics....
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/27/easyjet-electric-planes-wright-electric-flights
Quote:
easyJet’s chief executive, said the aerospace industry would follow the lead of the automotive industry in developing electric engines that would cut emissions and noise.
As to electrics....
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/sep/27/easyjet-electric-planes-wright-electric-flights
Quote:
easyJet’s chief executive, said the aerospace industry would follow the lead of the automotive industry in developing electric engines that would cut emissions and noise.
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
Same here...as a purist (I thought)
but always there were siege engines, motor boats (without batteries and extension cords)
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
Same here...as a purist (I thought)
but always there were siege engines, motor boats (without batteries and extension cords)
I had a shop teacher who would fail students who called an engine that ran on gas or diesel a motor. It seemed to carry forward for me and I often catch myself and think of him. Till this day I still refer to the thing sitting under one of my hoods that burns gas an engine.
I was always taught that engine generates power, motor consumes.
My furnace has a motor. My cars have engines.
My furnace has a motor. My cars have engines.
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
This.
I'm an A&P mechanic, and, since I learned to turn wrenches, I've been taught that the only time it's appropriate to call something a "motor" is when it's electric. A gas turbine engine or other type of ICE (internal combustion engine) is always referred to as an engine - not a motor - by professionals.
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
This.
I'm an A&P mechanic, and, since I learned to turn wrenches, I've been taught that the only time it's appropriate to call something a "motor" is when it's electric. A gas turbine engine or other type of ICE (internal combustion engine) is always referred to as an engine - not a motor - by professionals.
Originally Posted By: john_pifer
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
This.
I'm an A&P mechanic, and, since I learned to turn wrenches, I've been taught that the only time it's appropriate to call something a "motor" is when it's electric. A gas turbine engine or other type of ICE (internal combustion engine) is always referred to as an engine - not a motor - by professionals.
+1
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I always thought that motors are AC/DC electric and engines are fuel combustion.
This.
I'm an A&P mechanic, and, since I learned to turn wrenches, I've been taught that the only time it's appropriate to call something a "motor" is when it's electric. A gas turbine engine or other type of ICE (internal combustion engine) is always referred to as an engine - not a motor - by professionals.
+1
IMO an engine burns fuel, motor uses electricity
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
Having worked as a professional mechanic in various fields, that's always been how I see it. There's precedent for that argument too.
Motorcycles
Motor cars
Motorsports
Motor oil
Bavarian Motor Works
Honda Motor Company
Toyota Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
etc, etc, etc..
I've always seen it like this:
All engines are motors, but not all motors are engines.
Having worked as a professional mechanic in various fields, that's always been how I see it. There's precedent for that argument too.
Motorcycles
Motor cars
Motorsports
Motor oil
Bavarian Motor Works
Honda Motor Company
Toyota Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
etc, etc, etc..
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