What does a series wound DC motor provide that makes it suitable for certain applications?

A series wound DC motor is designed with its field windings connected in series with its armature, meaning the same current flows through both the field and armature windings. This configuration allows the motor to produce a significant amount of starting torque, particularly under heavy load conditions.

When a series wound motor starts up, there is minimal back electromotive force (back EMF) generated because of the low initial speed. As a result, almost all the supplied voltage contributes to the current flowing through the field windings, which increases the magnetic field strength. This strong magnetic field, in turn, greatly enhances the torque produced at startup, enabling the motor to handle heavy loads effectively.

In contrast, other types of motors may struggle to generate sufficient torque when faced with a heavy load, making the series wound design particularly advantageous in applications such as cranes and elevators, where high starting torque is essential.