Abstract: A motor or alternator comprises a number of permanent magnets (34, 36) arranged about the periphery of a rotor (30). The magnets (34, 36) are encompassed by stator coils (44) pressed over and supported on the stator housing (41) between fins (39). The magnets (34, 36) are arranged with their like poles facing each other while the stator coils (44) are arranged in a C-shape or a U-shape configuration about the permanent magnets allowing the magnets (34, 36) to rotate within the toroidal space defined by the stator coils (44). The rotor (30) is made of a non-magnetic material which may include an electrical conductor such as aluminum or a highly resistive material such as a plastics material. The number of stator coils (44) will depend on the phase excitation used (a 3-phase motor is described) with the commutation of the coils being supplied either mechanically or electronically.