On switching a DC motor to DC supply mains and finding that it rotates in the opposite direction to that for which it is designed, the motor is likely a Differential compound motor.
A differential compound motor is a type of DC motor that has both a series field winding and a shunt field winding. The series field winding provides additional torque at startup and during heavy loads, while the shunt field winding provides speed regulation.
In a differential compound motor, the direction of rotation is determined by the relative strength of the series and shunt fields. The series field produces a torque that tends to rotate the motor in one direction, while the shunt field produces a torque that tends to rotate the motor in the opposite direction.
If the motor rotates in the opposite direction than it is designed for, it indicates that the torque produced by the shunt field is stronger than that produced by the series field. This results in the motor rotating in the opposite direction to compensate for the dominant torque.
Therefore, the correct answer is A: Differential compound. A differential compound motor is likely the type of DC motor that rotates in the opposite direction to that for which it is designed when switched to DC supply mains.