Multipole pattern glossary

Magnet Pole Count and Pole Pitch Explained

Direct answer: Pole count records how many magnetic poles belong to the released pattern, while pole pitch records the defined spacing between adjacent pole references. A motor pole count, a magnet pole pattern and a pole-pair count must not be substituted without context. The drawing also needs the N/S sequence, start datum, viewing direction, magnetized state, scan path and acceptance rule.

Prepared by Elite Magnets Application & Magnetization Engineering Team · Technical review by Elite Magnets Quality & Manufacturing Validation Team · Published 2026-09-13 · Updated 2026-09-01

Eight-pole ring diagram linking pole count and adjacent pole pitch to drawing controls — Engineering Evidence EM-POLE-01 · ASSET-060 original pole-count and pitch card. The eight-pole pattern is explanatory, not a released customer design.

Separate the three counts first

Term	Controlled meaning	Required context	Common mistake
Magnet pole count	Number of N and S pole regions on the delivered magnet or magnetized assembly	Part state, pole map and measurement surface	Copying the motor count without confirming the magnet pattern
Motor pole count	Machine-level electromagnetic architecture	Rotor/stator definition and design convention	Treating it as a complete magnet drawing
Pole pairs	Count of N/S pairs under the named convention	Whether the source uses poles or pairs	Reading four pole pairs as four poles
Pole pitch	Spacing between defined adjacent pole references	Angular or linear measure, reference point and path	Using one number with no location or definition

The released magnet pattern must be stated on its own terms even when it supports a known motor architecture.

Segmented ring geometry used to discuss a controlled multipole pattern — A segmented or one-piece ring still needs an explicit magnetic pattern; physical segments are not automatically equivalent to pole count.

When the 360-degree relationship applies

If—and only if—the pattern covers one complete circumference, the poles are equally spaced, and pitch is defined from one adjacent pole reference to the next, the mechanical angular spacing is 360 degrees divided by the pole count. An eight-pole explanatory pattern would therefore have 45 degrees between adjacent equivalent reference positions.

Do not apply that relationship to a partial arc, unequal pattern, noncircular scan, linear strip, skewed pole, pole pair convention or a drawing that defines pitch at another radius. State whether pitch is angular or linear and where it is measured.

Engineering drawing review of multipole magnet datum and sequence — A pole map becomes manufacturable and inspectable only when its magnetic references are tied to the mechanical drawing.

What belongs on a multipole magnet drawing

Magnet pole count and whether the value counts individual poles or pole pairs.
The alternating or otherwise defined N/S sequence.
A physical zero-degree datum, start pole and viewing direction.
Clockwise or counterclockwise progression if sequence direction matters.
Angular or linear pole-pitch definition and the reference radius or path.
Loose, delivered, magnetized, installed or fully assembled inspection state.
Scan path, probe direction, measurement height or fixture, temperature and instrument condition.
The released characteristic: pole presence, peak or average field, transition location, waveform, flux or a project-specific functional result.

Inspection setup for a controlled multipole magnetic pattern — Pole count and pitch do not by themselves prove that a material, geometry or fixture can create the requested pattern.

Inspection must read the same pattern

The inspection plan should use the same datum, viewing direction and delivered state as the drawing. Record the scan start, path, direction, height or controlled fixture, characteristic, tolerance and result. For a rotating or sensing assembly, the final waveform or switching event may be the protected function, while a loose-part pole check remains an upstream process control.

For broader definitions use magnetization direction and pole patterns and how to specify magnetization on a drawing. Review ring magnet routes, bonded NdFeB, Quality, and the existing RFQ form.

Frequently asked questions

How do you count poles on a multipole magnet?

Use the released pole map and a defined scan or indicator method from a known datum. Do not infer the magnetic count from visible segments alone.

What is pole pitch on a ring magnet?

It is the defined spacing between adjacent pole references along the named angular or linear path. The drawing must state the exact convention.

Is an eight-pole motor the same as an eight-pole magnet?

Not automatically. Confirm the machine convention, magnet arrangement, number of pieces, pole pairs and the delivered magnet pattern.

How is angular pole pitch calculated?

For a complete equally spaced circular pattern using adjacent pole references, divide 360 degrees by the pole count. Other patterns need their own definition.

What should be inspected on a multipole ring?

Define the datum, viewing direction, start pole, scan path, direction, height or fixture, characteristic, tolerance, part state and acceptance record.

Source and evidence boundary

The dated Google SERP and rotary-machine terminology source were used to map mixed glossary language. No competitor motor formula, product pattern, magnetizing fixture or performance value was adopted as an Elite Magnets capability.

Magnet Pole Count and Pole Pitch Explained