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MOTORS AND GENERATORS

GENERATORS

Generators are used to convert mechanical energy (rotation) into electrical

energy. A simple generator consists of a loop of wire that is made to rotate in a
uniform magnetic field. The force causing the rotation is applied externally. As
the loop is turned the magnetic flux through it changes, thus creating A
motionally induced current.

As the loop turns, the point marked D spends half its time to the left of point E
and the other half to the right of E. While D is to the left of E, the current flows
in the direction CDEF (right hand palm rule). When the loop is in the vertical
direction, with D directly above E the angle between the magnetic field and the
normal to the loop is zero, so no current is flowing. During the rest of the
revolution, D is to the right of E the current flows in the direction FEDC. Thus,
the direction on which the current flows around the loop is reversed for half of
each revolution.

magnetic field in +x direction

n
D

E

N S
B
C

slip rings F y
brush contacts
direction of A
rotation
B
clockwise x
around z axis to external circuit z
(out of page)

Fig. 1. A simple generator AC generator with a split ring commutator .

As always with rotary devices (motors and generators) special arrangements

have to be made to connect the rotating components to a fixed external circuit.
In figure (1), each end of the rotating loop is attached to a metal hoop called a
slip ring. The slip rings turn with the loop, but as they turn they rub against two
electrical brush contacts. The brushes are fixed and carry the current produced
in the rotating loop into the external circuit. This arrangement ensures that the
direction of the current supplied to the external circuit will also be reversed for
each half of a revolution. This is an AC generator. This is different with the kind
of current produced by a battery (DC current – constant in value and does not
reverse direction).
Generator parameters:

number of winding of coil N

rotation speed  [rad.s-1]

rotation frequency f =  / 2 [Hz]

period of rotation T = 1/f = 2/ [s]

angle between magnetic field and normal to the area of the coil
   t [rad]

magnetic flux (constant magnetic field) B  B A cos( )  B A cos( t ) [T.m2]

d B
induced emf emf   N  N  B A sin( t )  N  2 f  B A sin(2 f t )
dt

Figure (2) shows a series of diagrams explaining how the emf is induced by a
rotating coil in a uniform magnetic field that points out of the page.

magnetic field B out of page FB = q v B sin

 B
B v v out of page
up down
v F on e- = 0 v  F on e-

F on e-
area n
area n   = 270o
out of page 1 4 v
= 0
A B
A-
B = BAcos B+

n 2 3
B
v
F on e- up down
v F on e- = 0 v 
F on e- 
v

area n area n 
B B A
out of page A+ B-  = 90o
into page
 = 180o

Fig. 2a Rotating coil in magnetic field produces an emf.

 ac generator –slip ring commutator

 DC generator – split ring commutator

 magentic flux B = B A cos = B A cos(2 f t)
B 1 1 1

(0,0)  4  2 4
2 time t

3 3
emf (A wrt B)  = - dB/dt = -(2  f) B A{-sin(2 f t)} = + 2  f A B sin(2  f t)

Fig. 2b.ABAs the

 2 coil rotates,
2 an ac emfis
AB  2  4 2  4
induced.
+ +

(0,0)   3 1  1 (0,0)  3   
1 3 time t 1 1 3 1 time t
_ _
4 4

magentic flux B = B A cos = B A cos(2 f t)

B 1 1 1

(0,0)  4  2 4
2 time t
Fig. 2c. Brushes are used to make the connections between the generator
and external circuit.
3
For a3 DC generator a single split ring commutator. is
used.
emf (A wrt B)  = - dB/dt = -(2  f) B A{-sin(2 f t)} = + 2  f A B sin(2  f t)

AB 2 2 AB 2  4 B 2  4
A
slip ring
+ brushes
+
(0,0)   3 1  1 (0,0)  3   
1 3 time t 1 1 3 1 time t
_ _
load
4 4 ac voltage across load
coil windings
slip rings attached to the slip
rings and turned by
the rotation of the
rotation of axle axle
(hand or petrol
motor etc)

brushes for connections to external circuit:

brushes remain stationary as commutator rotates

Fig. 2d. Brushes are used to make the connections between the generator
and external circuit. For a ac generator a pair of slip rings are used.
Motors and generators are structurally the same:
 A generator has a mechanical input and voltage output
 A motor has a voltage input and mechanical output

ac generator –slip ring commutator

dc generator – split ring commutator

Advantages and disadvantages of ac and DC generators

 AC easier to transform (increase or decrease voltage) using transformers
than DC.
 AC high voltage transmission – smaller currents – smaller heating losses.
 AC voltages emits electromagnetic radiation which can interfere with
electrical / electronic equipment.
 AC produces eddy currents which lowers power output.
 DC not does induced voltages in nearby electrical devices or wires.
 DC generators less reliable due to sparking (causes electrical interference)
and wear across the split ring commutator.

Counter torque in a generator

Principle of conservation of energy  more mechanical input needed to

produce greater electrical output.

Generator not connected to an external circuit  emf exists at the terminals

 no current flows  little effort required to rotate armature  zero
current  zero counter torque

Generator connected to an external circuit  emf exists at the terminals 

induced current flows in coils of armature  current carrying coil in a magnetic
field  torque experience by coil which opposes the rotation  counter
torque

Greater current drawn from generator  greater counter torque  greater

applied torque to keep generator turning.

Do problems P6998