Though there are many types of belts used these days, yet the following are important from the subject point of view:

1.   Flat belt. The flat belt, as shown in Fig. (a), is mostly used in the factories andworkshops, where a moderate amount of power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another when the two pulleys are not more than 8 metres apart.

2. V-belt. The V-belt, as shown in Fig. (b), is mostly used in the factories and workshops,where a moderate amount of power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another, when the two pulleys are very near to each other.

3. Circular belt or rope. The circular belt or rope, as shown in Fig. (c), is mostly used inthe factories and workshops, where a great amount of power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another, when the two pulleys are more than 8 meters apart.

If a huge amount of power is to be transmitted, then a single belt may not be sufficient. In such a case, wide pulleys (for V-belts or circular belts) with a number of grooves are used. Then a belt in each groove is provided to transmit the required amount of power from one pulley to another.