Which component in a DC motor is responsible for mechanically reversing the electrical current direction?

The commutator is the component in a DC motor that is responsible for mechanically reversing the direction of electrical current flowing through the armature windings. It achieves this by periodically switching the connection of the armature to the external circuit as the motor rotates.

As the armature spins, the commutator segments ensure that the current direction in the armature windings is flipped at the right times, maintaining the torque in a single direction and enabling continuous rotation of the motor. This function is crucial for the operation of a DC motor, as it enables the motor to produce a consistent and reliable output by reversing the current appropriately with each half turn of the armature.

The armature, field coils, and stator all play important roles in the operation of the motor, but they do not have the specific function of reversing the current direction mechanically. The armature is involved in the generation of magnetic fields and the production of torque, the field coils establish the magnetic field, and the stator serves as the stationary component that may house the field coils or provide the magnetic path.