PROJECT WORK

Subject: PHYSICS
School name:
SMT SRIDEVI AWASIYA VIDHYAPEETH

Topic:

NAME: ABHAY VERMA

CLASS: XII science (PCM)
I, Abhay Verma of class 12th of your school,
has got the wonderful opportunity to express
special gratitude to my physics teacher and
principal of my school, who gave me the
opportunity to do this wonderful project on
Physics..
The opportunity to participate in this project
has helped me improve my research skills and
I am really grateful to them.
I am also thankful to my friends and family
who helped me a lot and encouraged me in
completion of this project.
 CONTENTS

• About AC Generator

• Components of an AC Generator
and their respective functions

• Working of an AC generator

• Working principle

• Advantages of an AC over a
DC generator

• Applications of AC generator

• Bibliography
 What is an AC Generator?

• AC generator is a machine that

converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
• The AC Generator’s input supply is
mechanical energy supplied by
steam turbines, gas turbines and
combustion engines.
• The output is alternating electrical
power in the form of ALTERNATING
VOLTAGE AND CURRENT.
 Parts of an AC Generator
and their functioning
a) Field:
The field consists of coils of
conductors that receive a voltage
from the source and produce
magnetic flux. The magnetic flux in
the field cuts the armature to produce
a voltage. This voltage is the output
voltage of the AC generator.
b) Prime Mover:
The component used to drive the AC
generator is known as a prime mover.
The prime mover could either be a
diesel engine, a steam turbine, or a
motor.
c) Armature:
The part of an AC generator in which
the voltage is produced is known as
an armature. This component
primarily consists of coils of wire that
are large enough to carry the full-load
current of the generator.

d) Rotor: The rotating component of

the generator is known as a rotor. The
generator’s prime mover drive the
rotor.

e) Carbon brushes: Carbon brushes

are used to conduct electrical current
between moving parts and stationary
wiring.
f) Slip Rings:
Slip rings are electrical connections
used to transfer power to and fro from
the rotor of an AC generator. They are
typically designed to conduct the flow
of current from a stationary device to
a rotating one.
 Working of an
AC Generator
• When the armature rotates between
the poles of the magnet upon an
axis perpendicular to the magnetic
field, the flux linkage of the
armature changes continuously.
• As a result, an electric current flows
through the galvanometer and the
slip rings and brushes.
• The galvanometer swings between
positive and negative values. This
indicates that there is an alternating
current flowing through the
galvanometer.
• The direction of the induced current
can be identified using Fleming’s
Right-Hand Rule.
Working principle
• AC generators work on the principle of FARADAY’S
LAW OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION which
states that electromotive force – EMF or voltage is
generated in a current-carrying conductor that cuts
a uniform magnetic field.
• This can either be achieved by rotating a
conducting coil in a static magnetic field or rotating
the magnetic field containing the stationary
conductor.
• The preferred arrangement is to keep the coil
stationary because it is easier to draw induced
alternating current from a stationary armature coil
than from a rotating coil.
 Advantages of AC over
DC generator
Following are a few advantages of AC
generators over DC generators:
• AC generators can be easily stepped up
and stepped down through transformers.
• The transmission link size in AC Generators
is thinner because of the step-up* feature.
• Losses in AC generators are relatively
lesser than in DC generators.
• The size of an AC generator is SMALLER
than a DC generator.

*STEP-UP TRANSFORMER: A transformer

that increases the voltage from primary to
secondary voltage is step up type
transformer.
 Applications of AC
generator
Some applications of AC generator are listed below:-
 The main use of an ac generator is to generate electric
current and power, which is further used to drive
different machinery.
 They are a good source of renewable energy. Wind
turbines work as generator as they generate electricity.
 Wind turbines use AC generators to convert the
mechanical energy of wind into electrical energy,
which can be used to power homes and businesses.
 Hydroelectric power plants use AC generators to produce
electricity from falling water.
• USED IN TRANSPORTATION:
AC generators are used in various
transportation systems such as trains,
ships, and airplanes. They are used to
power electric motors that drive the moving
systems of these vehicles.

• FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES:

1) AC generators are also used in medical
applications such as Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) machines.
2) MRI machines use powerful magnets that
require a high voltage and high-frequency.
3) AC generators are used to provide the
required power to the MRI machines.

MRI Machine
AC generators are also used in home
appliances such as refrigerators, air
conditioners, and washing
machines.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
SOURCES:
• NCERT textbook
• Help of physics teacher
• Websites: www.google.com

I hope this would be a wonderful project

for diving into the interesting research on
Ac generator…
Thanks to all who helped me to complete
the project.