24/3/2014

AC (Alternating Current) Generators

AC (Alternating Current) Generators

AC-Circuits > AC (Alternating Current) Generators
An Electrical Generator is a device that produces an Electromotive Force (e.m.f.)
by changing the number of Magnetic Flux Lines (Lines of Force), , passing
through a Wire Coil. Figure 1 is one type of Generators. When the Coil is rotated
between the Poles of the Magnet by cranking the handle, an AC Voltage Waveform
is produced.

Figure 1: Electrical Generator

Operation principle of a Generator is based on Electromagnetic Induction, which is
defined by Faradays Law, which states:

The Electromotive Force, Eemf, induced in a Coil is proportional to the number of

turns, N, in the Coil and the Rate of Change, d / dt, of the number of Magnetic
Flux Lines, , passing through the surface (A) enclosed by the Coil.
An Induced Effect is always such as to Oppose the cause that produced it.
In the Generator, the Coil is under a Stationary Magnetic Field. The Magnetic Flux
Density, B, is constant and = B x Aeff, so is proportional to the Effective
Area, Aeff, of the Loop. As the Loop rotates at different angles, there is a change in
Aeff which is shown in Figure 2.
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AC (Alternating Current) Generators

Figure 2: Effective Area of the Wire Loop at Different Rotational Angles

The Rate of Change of , d / dt, is the largest at the zero points of the Waveform
and is the smallest at the peaks of the Waveform, therefore the Induced Eemf is
maximum at the zero points and minimum at the peaks, Figure 3. The Induced Eemf
output by the Generator is an AC Voltage and its Waveform is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 3: Different Rates of Change of the Magnetic Flux at Various Rotational

Angles

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AC (Alternating Current) Generators

Figure 4: Position of the Rotating Wire Coil Plane to the Magnetic Field Direction
and the Induced Electromotive Force
Links
How An Electric Generator Works - Interactive demo of an Electric
Generator
What is alternating current (AC)? - Describe the basic concepts of Alternating
Current
Generators - Electricity from Magnetism - Introduction to generating
electricity from magnets
AC-Circuits > AC (Alternating Current) Generators

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