Electric machine

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In electrical engineering, an electric machine is a general term for a machine that makes use of electromagnetic forces and their interactions with voltages, currents, and movement, such as motors and generators. They are electromechanical energy converters, converting between electricity and motion. The moving parts in a machine can be rotating (rotating machines) or linear (linear machines). While transformers are occasionally called "static electric machines",^[1] they do not have moving parts and are more accurately described as electrical devices "closely related" to electrical machines.^[2]

Electric machines, in the form of synchronous and induction generators, produce about 95% of all electric power on Earth (as of early 2020s). In the form of electric motors, they consume approximately 60% of all electric power produced. Electric machines were developed in the mid 19th century and since have become a significant component of electric infrastructure. Developing more efficient electric machine technology is crucial to global conservation, green energy, and alternative energy strategy.