INTRODUCTION
An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy.
A generator forces electric current to flow through an external circuit.
The source of mechanical energy may be a reciprocating or turbine
steam engine, water falling through a turbine or waterwheel, an internal
combustion engine, a wind turbine, a hand crank, compressed air, or any
other source of mechanical energy.
Generators provide nearly all of the power for electric power grids.
Apparatus
1) 7V DC Motor
2) LED Light
3) Old Marker
4) Sketch pen
5) Old CD
6) Bottle Cap
7) Rubber band
8) Sun board
9) Cello tape ring and
10) Metal Wire
THEORY
The strong magnetic field is produced by a current flow through the
field coil of the rotor.
The field coil in the rotor receives excitation through the use of slip rings
and brushes.
Two brushes are spring-held in contact with the slip rings to provide the
continuous connection between the field coil and the external excitation
circuit.
The armature is contained within the windings of the stator and is
connected to the output.
Each time the rotor makes one complete revolution, one complete cycle
of AC is developed.
A generator has many turns of wire wound into the slots of the rotor.
The magnitude of AC voltage generated by an AC generator is dependent
on the field strength and speed of the rotor.
Most generators are operated at a constant speed; therefore, the
generated voltage depends on field excitation, or strength.
Construction of an AC Generator
FIELD
The field in an AC generator consists of coils of conductors within the
generator that receive a voltage from a source (called excitation) and
produce a magnetic flux.
The magnetic flux in the field cuts the armature to produce a voltage.
This voltage is ultimately the output voltage of the AC generator.
ARMATURE
The armature is the part of an AC generator in which voltage is
produced.
This component consists of many coils of wire that are large enough.
PRIME MOVER
The prime mover is the component that is used to drive the AC
generator.
The prime mover may be any type of rotating machine, such as a diesel
engine, a steam turbine, or a motor.
ROTOR
The rotor is driven by the generator’s prime mover, which may be a
steam turbine, gas turbine, or diesel engine. Depending on the type of
generator, this component may be the armature or the field.
The rotor will be the armature if the voltage output is generated there;
the rotor will be the field if the field excitation is applied there.
STATOR
Like the rotor, this component may be the armature or the field,
depending on the type of generator.
The stator will be the armature if the voltage output is generated there; the
stator will be the field if the field excitation is applied there
The stator of an AC generator is the part that is stationary.
The rotor of an AC generator is the rotating component of the generator,
as shown in Figure 1.
SLIP RINGS
In a DC generator, a commutator was used to provide an output whose
current always flowed in the positive direction.
Slip rings are used in AC generators because the desired output of the
generator is a sine wave. The slip ring consists of a circular conducting
material that is connected to the rotor windings and insulated from the
shaft.
Brushes ride on the slip ring as the rotor rotates. The electrical connection
to the rotor is made by connections to the brushes. Slip rings are electrical
connections that are used to transfer power to and from the rotor of an AC
generator
Circuit diagram
Working of an ac generator
The coil is rotated in anti-clock wise direction. In the first half rotation the arm
AB is moving outward and CD is moving inward. So the e.m.f. is induced in the
arm AB from A to B. And in the arm CD from C to D. After half rotation (in the
second half). The arm CD is moving outward and AB is moving inward. In this
time current is induced in arm CD from D to C. And in arm AB from B to A. In
the second half rotation the current direction is changing so in this generator
AC is produced.
Applications of ac generator
1 Aircraft auxiliary power generation, windgenerators, high speed gas turbine
generators.
2 Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drive systems,automotive starter generators.
3 An ac generator, or 'alternator', is used toproduce ac voltages for
transmission via the gridsystem or, locally, as portable generators.
4 All of our household appliances runs on
accurrent. Ex: Refrigerator, washing machines,oven, lights, fan etc
Losses of ac generator
1 The load current flows through the armature in all AC generators. The
armature has some amount of resistance and inductive reactance.
2 The combination of these make up what is known as the internal resistance,
which causes a loss in a n AC generator.
3 When the load current flows, a voltage drop is developed across the internal
resistance.
4 This voltage drop subtracts from the output voltage and, therefore,
represents generated voltage and power that is lost and not available to the
load
RESULT
1 WHEN THE AXLE OF GENERATING MOTOR IS ROTATED, E.M.F. IS
PRODUCED BY IT.
REASON: CHANGE IN FLUX THROUGH THE WINDING OF MOTOR.
2 THIS E.M.F. REMAINS IN THE CIRCUIT AS LONG AS AXLE IS ROTATED.
HENCE, FARADAY’S LAW OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION IS VERIFIED.
3 AS THE SPEED OF ROTOR IS INCREASED, THE VOLTAGE AND CURRENT
PRODUCED BY GENERATOR ALSO GET INCREASED.
REASON: RATE OF CHANGE OF FLUX INCREASES.
Index
S.No. CONTEXT PAGE No.
1. Introduction
2. Apparatus
3. Theory
4. Construction
5. Circuit Diagram
6. Model Photo
7. Working
8. Applications
9. Losses
10. Result
11. Bibliography
PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TOPIC:
AC GENERATOR
PROJECT PREPARED BY:
NAME: KSHITIJ AJIT MOTE
CLASS: XII B
SESSION: 2024-2025
BOARD ROLL NO.:
SCHOOL: DAV INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,
KHARGHAR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is genuine pleasure to express my deep
sense of thanks to our principal Mrs. Seema
Maindiratta as well as to my Physics teacher
Mrs. Ruchi Kapoor to provide me the
wonderful opportunity to do this delightful
project on topic Electromagnetic induction,
which helped me to link the textual
knowledge to practical life issues and helped
me in doing a lot research. I am really grateful
to lab assistant teacher Mrs. Shweta for
resolving my doubts at the earliest.
Lastly I would like to thank my Parents and
my brother who provided constant support
and resources, and my classmates and friends
for encouraging me to finalize the project in
the given time constraint.
BIBILIOGRAPY
1 www.google .com
2 www. Wikipedia .com
3 www. scribd,.com
4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycl5H2VqhuQ&t=77s
Steps to Make This Model
1. Create the Base
Take a sturdy piece of cardboard or wood to serve as the base.
Attach mounting blocks or stands to hold the axle and coil in place.
2. Make the Coil
Wrap the insulated copper wire tightly around a cylindrical object (like a
bottle or spool) to create a coil.Remove the coil from the object and secure it
by tying or taping.Leave both ends of the wire free for connection to the LED
or bulb.
3. Assemble the Rotor
Cut a circular disc out of cardboard, plastic, or wood to act as the rotor.
Attach strong magnets around the edge of the disc, alternating the poles (N-S-
N-S). Fix the disc onto the axle (metal rod or pencil) so it can spin freely.
4. Mount the Coil
Place the coil close to the edge of the rotor where the magnets will pass by.
Secure the coil to the base using glue or tape.
5. Set Up the Axle
Insert the axle through the rotor and fix it to the mounting blocks so the rotor
can rotate smoothly.
6. Connect the LED
Attach the free ends of the copper wire from the coil to the LED or bulb.
7. Test the Generator
Manually rotate the rotor or use a handle to spin it.
The changing magnetic field due to the rotating magnets will induce a current
in the coil, lighting up the LED.
PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
ELECTRIC GENERATOR
Project Prepared by :
Name : Kshitij Ajit Mote
Class : XII B
Session : 2024-25
Board RollNo :
Name of The School : DAV International School, Kharghar
