Which electric screwdriver is better brushed or brushless

Which electric screwdriver to choose brush or brushless?

Brushless electric screwdriver (or commutatorless) is a tool, the electric motor of which has no collector unit with brushes.So in absolute terms, a brushless electric screwdriver is better in almost every way than a brushed.

Brushless motor has no collector with brushes, therefore no friction, heat or spark losses. This makes a brushless motor about 30% more economical on average. You could tighten 200 screws with a brushless screwdriver and 270 with a brushless screwdriver, for example. Engine life.

What is the best choice of electric screwdriver??

Brushless DC motor buy, brushless motor Brushless (aka valve or commutatorless) is a type of AC electric motors in which the collector-brush node is replaced by a contactless semiconductor commutator controlled by a rotor position sensor.

What electric screwdriver to buy in 2020?

Category Location Name
Best 12 volt screwdrivers 1 DeWALT DCD701D2 Li-Ion 2.0 Ah 12 V x2 case TSTAK 57.5 N-m
2 Makita DF333DWYE 30 N-m
3 Bosch GSR 120-LI 1.5Ah x2 Case
The best screwdrivers powered by 18 V 1 Bosch GSB 18-2-LI Plus 2.0Ah x2 Case 63 Nm

By replacing the brush unit with an electronic unit, you can increase the motor efficiency by up to 1.5 times. In the brushless models, it reaches 90%, so the energy is used much more efficiently. This is especially important for cordless tools, which is why commutatorless motors are more common in stand-alone tools.

1.5 times more energy efficiency results in a corresponding increase in autonomy. That is, if you can tighten 200 screws with an ordinary brush tool on a single charge, then the brushless tool with the same power and battery capacity will tighten all 300.

Cost

Brushless electric screwdriver is in most respects better than a brushless one: it is more compact, more efficient, safer and has a longer life. But the high price of a brushless electric screwdriver does not always justify its purchase for household use. If you don’t need a standalone tool, a budget wired model with a collector motor like SPETS BShE-400M is enough for all tasks. Overpaying for an improved motor makes no sense, and the lack of power from the socket does not bother.

When choosing a standalone electric screwdriver for occasional home use, saving money also makes sense. If you don’t need to spin screws by the hundreds, it’s enough to limit yourself to a cordless model with a traditional collector-motor, such as the P.I.T. PSR 24-D1. After all, the cost of such a device is about half as much as its commutatorless counterpart.

For semi-professional and professional applications the choice, brush or brushless electric screwdriver is better to take, you can shoot. You should definitely overpay and get a model with a modern motor like the DeWALT DCD777S2T. You’ll pay more, but you’ll get a more convenient and self-contained tool that can better handle your tasks, thereby allowing you to earn more.

Cost

Brushless electric screwdriver is superior to a brushless screwdriver in most respects: it is more compact, efficient, safer and has a longer life. But the high price makes the purchase of such a tool for domestic use not always justified. If you don’t need an autonomous tool, a budget wire model with a collector motor such as SPETS BShE-400M will be enough for all tasks. Overpaying for an improved motor does not make sense, and the power deficit from the power outlet definitely does not bother.

When choosing a standalone electric screwdriver for occasional home use, saving money also makes sense. If you don’t need to drive hundreds of screws, a cordless model with a traditional collector-driven motor such as the P.I.T. PSR 24-D1. After all, it costs about half as much as its commutatorless counterpart.

For semi-professional and professional applications the choice, brushed or brushless electric screwdriver is better to take, you can remove. Definitely overpay and get a model with a modern motor like DeWALT DCD777S2T is worth. You will pay more, but you will get a more convenient and self-contained tool that will better cope with the tasks, thus allowing you to earn more.

How to choose

First assess the tasks that will be performed using this device. Particular attention is paid to the autonomy of the device. For example:

  • Li-ion batteries are preferred for professional work. Such a battery has a life expectancy of 5 years. This parameter is indicated by the manufacturer.
  • Nickel-cadmium batteries are more effective for household tasks. This type of battery will hold a charge for 4-5 hours. This is enough time to tighten a few screws. Nickel-Cadmium batteries lose their autonomy over the years. However, they are resistant to frost.

Important! It is better to remove the battery if you do not use it for a long time. It should be stored at room temperature. It is not recommended to expose the electric screwdriver to sunlight.

Thus, this article has provided basic information regarding brushless screwdrivers. The choice can be made easily based on the information given.

Brush type electric screwdriver

Brush-type motors. time-tested technology. Small size, affordable price, long service life. that’s on the side of this tool.

Construction and principle of operation

Another name for a brushless motor is the collector motor. It consists of:

The rotor is wound with copper wire. The current creates a magnetic field around the winding, due to which electricity is converted into mechanical energy. This sets the armature in motion.

The task of the commutator (collector) is to switch the voltage from one winding to another and therefore change the direction of rotation of the armature. For the current flow from the commutator to the coil winding, the motor has 2 graphite brushes, one on each battery pole. They ensure that the direction of current is always reversed. It also changes the magnetic field so that the armature continues to rotate.

The rotor with collectors and brushes are located inside the stationary stator. Other coil with coil winding or permanent magnet can be found in the stator. This element generates magnetic field, the opposite of the rotor one. Their interaction is what sets the armature in motion.

Pros and cons

  • The technology is old and so the tools are cheaper than brushless tools.
  • Easy to repair. If brushes fail, you only need to replace them, not buy additional parts or a whole new motor.
  • Small dimensions, easy to transport.
  • Relatively low efficiency of up to 60%. A lot of energy is expended in creating friction between the brushes and the collector.
  • Because of this, the graphite brushes are subject to rapid wear. They must be replaced every 2-3 years. Also, graphite clogs the collector, and this can be the cause of failure of an electric screwdriver.
  • Brush type tools are not able to deliver more than 3,000 rpm. For your home, this is enough, but for more demanding tasks, brushless models look preferable.
  • Friction between the brushes and the commutator creates sparks. Therefore, the tool can be operated only in places with no risk of fire, away from flammable substances. You also have to make sure that the unit does not overheat because of friction, and give it a “rest” to cool down.

The advantages of brushless motors in theory

Now that we’ve got the brushless motor figured out, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of these tools.

There are several advantages of these motors:

  • They don’t have the problems that brush models have. They are more resistant to wear and tear because the brushes do not produce internal friction. The fire rate is also lower. No sparking allows you to work in the most difficult conditions.
  • Simpler torque control system. Number of levels (15), allows you to immediately select the desired mode and just press the button. They have a higher level of efficiency.
  • Economical in terms of energy consumption. This is especially important. If the engine is cordless. The tool can be used on any material.

Important! In addition, brushless motors can produce maximum rotation rates almost immediately.

Disadvantages of modern equipment

Theoretical advantages fully come into play in practice. This should be taken into account when choosing a brush or brushless electric screwdriver, the motor which is better can be found out after working with it.

Experts say it’s the right tool for the job:

  • Much lighter and smaller in size. Compact size makes it possible to work in difficult locations and carry even in a normal bag.
  • powerful and efficient in terms of energy consumption. The modern, electronic-based operating principle of the motor improves the user’s performance.
  • Cordless brushless models run long enough on a single charge. Compared to classic motors, it’s up to 30 percent longer.
  • Thanks to the low heat emission, no additional cooling or work breaks are required.
  • Does not make too much noise when working, does not give sharp jerks.
  • No sparking. It makes it possible to work in difficult conditions near fuel tanks, gas appliances.
  • Easy maintenance. No brushes to be bought and matched.
  • Less likely to break, since the absence of a brush allows you to work even under high loads without fear of clogging the motor.

Torque control sleeve

It ensures that it stops moving when the work is finished, for example, at the moment of complete screwing in.

Similar mechanism prevents screw thread breakage, motor overheating from overload. Consists of a stopper, washer and spring, threaded (adjustment) sleeve.

The adjustment clutch is integrated with the chuck. At the highest voltage, the spring transfers the load to the pins of the threaded sleeve, which stops the chuck sleeve. After which the rotating power is stopped. Depending on the design of the electric screwdriver there are 5-25 steps of regulation.

Brush type electric screwdriver

Brush-type motors. a time-tested technology. On the side of this tool. small size, affordable price, long service life.

Construction and principle of operation

Another name of the brush motor. the collector motor. It consists of:

The rotor is wound with copper wire. The current creates a magnetic field around the winding, due to which electricity is converted into mechanical energy. This sets the anchor in motion.

which, electric, screwdriver, better

The task of the commutator (collector) is to switch the voltage from one winding to the other and therefore change the direction of rotation of the armature. For the current flow from the commutator to the coil winding, the motor has 2 graphite brushes, one on each battery pole. They provide a constant change in the direction of current. This also changes the magnetic field, which allows the armature to continue rotating.

Rotor with collectors and brushes are inside the stationary stator. There is also another coil with a coil or permanent magnet. This element produces a magnetic field that is inversely polarized to the rotor. Their interaction is what sets the armature in motion.

Pros and cons

  • The technology is old and therefore the tools are cheaper than brushless.
  • Easy to repair. If the brushes fail, they only need to be replaced instead of having to buy additional parts or a whole new motor.
  • Small size, easy to transport.
  • Relatively low efficiency of up to 60%. Much energy is expended in creating friction between the brushes and the collector.
  • Because of this, graphite brushes are subject to wear and tear very quickly. Every 2-3 years they need to be replaced. In addition, graphite clogs the collector and can cause electric screwdrivers to malfunction.
  • Brush tools are not able to achieve more than 3,000 rpm. That’s enough for the home, but for more demanding tasks brushless models look preferable.
  • Friction between brushes and commutator creates sparks. That is why the tool can only be used in places where there is no risk of fire and not near inflammable substances. You must also ensure that the machine does not overheat due to friction and give it a “rest” to cool down.

Brushless electric screwdriver

Brushless tools without a brush and manifold have been on the market since this century. Compared to a brushless electric screwdriver, a brushless tool has greater efficiency, smaller dimensions, longer life.

Construction and principle of operation

The motor of a brushless electric screwdriver has no collar or brush assembly. All the work is entrusted to the electronic control system.

The very principle of operation of the brushless electric screwdriver motor makes wear unlikely and offers high productivity. Key differences between this unit and a collector unit:

  • The motor magnet is much smaller and lighter.
  • The rotation is created by voltage, not centrifugal force.
  • There is no coil on the motor armature, it is the magnets inside the motor housing that create the magnetic field.
  • Sensors on the control board itself determine when to apply current. They operate due to potential differences, similar to the Hall effect. The system reads all pulses and generates pulse width modulation (PWM) signals. They are transmitted to inverters, whose task is to increase the resulting current. A magnetic field is generated around the stator and begins to interact with the field around the rotor. This sets the motor armature in motion.

Pros and cons

  • Efficiency is up to 90%, which is one and a half times greater than for a collector device. No unnecessary energy is expended on friction and spark generation.
  • The motor quickly reaches the desired speed.
  • The control system protects the brushless motor from overheating, so undesirable for an electric screwdriver. Collector tools have no such option.
  • Rechargeable battery lasts up to twice as long as its brush-based counterpart.
  • No spark allows to work in places with fire risk.
  • This electric screwdriver works quieter than a collector screwdriver.
  • Smaller size, lighter weight.
which, electric, screwdriver, better
  • A high price. The “merit” of the motor control system.
  • Difficulties with replacing parts. If it fails, for example, the power button, then with it you will have to buy the control board and motor stator. these 3 parts are sold in one set. It costs up to 75% of a new electric screwdriver. No sense in repairing the tool after the warranty period has expired.

Electric electric screwdriver: advantages of the device and disadvantages

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Collector versus brushless: summary table

Now. a comparative characteristic of two types of the tool in the form of a table with key parameters.

Characteristics Type of electric screwdriver
Brush Brushless
EFFICIENCY up to 60% 90%
Wear and tear faster longer
Battery life less almost twice as long
Cost below higher
Dimensions more less
Weight heavier easier
Overheating there is no
Noisy operation loud silently
Repair easy Highly problematic
Field of application home unrestricted
Working in fire hazardous areas high risk safe

Which tool to choose?

Looking at the above table, we can come to an unequivocal conclusion: brushless screwdrivers win, as they say, one-way. Almost all characteristics are in their favor, and only a few parameters make the collector tool look preferable.

However, this is on paper. Brushless equipment is better, more modern, but for this superiority will have to pay well. Before you pay a substantial amount of money, it is worth answering a few questions:

No need to spend a lot of money for a brushless electric screwdriver, which is needed only once or twice and the rest of the time will gather dust in the closet.

For home work, a brush tool is enough

One of the main points with which you should choose the type of tool. the possibility of repair. Even if to exclude obligatory replacement of brushes once in couple of years, the collector unit, most likely, will leave LADA already when the paid money will be worked off in full. It is not too bad to throw out your old device, and buy a new one for the same money.

Conclusion! If you need an electric screwdriver only for occasional local work in the house, the collector tool is enough. But replacement of one part in a brushless electric screwdriver will entail buying a few more (otherwise. nothing), which would be from half to 75% of the price of a new device. It will probably last longer than a brushed one, but if it breaks, there’s no point in repairing it.

The three main criteria in choosing the type of electric screwdriver are budget, purpose, and planned frequency of use. And you can see the difference in operation between the collector and brush tool here: