Generators
Generators are machines that generate an electrical current. They operate on the
principle of Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction but they induce current by
spinning a coil of wire inside a magnetic field, or by spinning a magnet inside a coil
of wire. Therefore, we can say that generators are devices that convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy. There are two types of generators alternating current
(AC) generators and direct current (DC) generators.
Simple AC generator (alternator)
- it consists of a rectangular coil between the poles of a C- shaped magnet. The
end of the coil are joined to slip rings on the axle against which carbon brushes
press
- when the coil rotates it cuts the magnet field lines and according to Faraday’s
Law of electromagnetic induction, a voltage (e.m.f) is induced in it.
Components and their parts
(i) Coil – produces electricity by electromagnetic induction
(ii) Permanent magnet- produces the magnetic field
(iii) Carbon Brush – keep the contact with the rings continuously as the coil
is electrically connected to the circuit
(iv) Slip rings – they are fixed to the coil, they drive rotation in a body by
the outside power source like an engine
- As the coil rotates, it cuts the magnetic field lines, which induce an e.m.f and a
current in the coil. Because the coil is rotating, one arm moves up and down
again past the S- pole of the magnet. The current that is generated has to flow
for each up stroke, and backwards on each down stroke. Between each up or
down stroke, the coli is in vertical position. In this position, there is no current
because the magnetic field lines are not being cut. The current is at maximum
when positioned horizontally between the two poles.
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Simple DC generator (Dynamo)
This generator produces a direct current that varies periodically in magnitude,
but in one direction. It also consists of a conducting wire, two strong,
permanent magnets on either side of the coil, but instead of slip rings, a DC
generator has a split-ring commutator that is in contact with brushes.
How a simple DC generator works
Much like the AC generator, a DC generator induces an e.m.f so that current can
flow through the coil. The split-ring commutator consists of two metal semi-circles,
each of which is connected to one end of the coil. Both halves rotate with the coil,
but each is always in contact with one of the brushes.
So, at one point in the cycle when the current reverses, the connection to the external
circuit is also reversed. This means that the current in the external circuit is always
in one direction only.
How to increase the induced current (e.m.f)
(i) Make the coil to rotate faster
(ii) Use a stronger magnet
(iii) Wound the coil around the soft Iron core
Main difference between an AC generator and a DC generator
(i) The AC generator has a slip ring while the DC generator has a split ring
(ii) The emf generated in the AC generator is bi – directional while the emf
generated in the Dc generator is uni-directional
Advantages of A.C generators over D.C generators
1. An AC generator produces an output whose voltage can be stepped up or
down using a transformer
2. A DC generator is expensive to construct than the AC one. When a DC
generator is required, an AC generator with electronic rectifiers is used.
Rectifier change AC to DC
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Rectification
This is the conversion from AC to DC using diodes in a device. A diode allows
current to pass through it, but only in one direction.
A diode and its symbol in the circuit.
The difference between current produced by DC generator with that produced by
Batteries
DC Generator Batteries
Electrical current can be generated by Electrical current is created by
moving a metal wire through a magnetic chemical reaction
field
The direction of the current produced The direction of current generated is
varies when there is change-over of the constant
coil from one half of the split rings of the
commutator to the other
Application of DC and AC Generators
1, A DC generator (dynamo) is used in a bicycle to generate dc current for the
head light.
3. AC generators (alternators) are used in power stations to generate electricity
4. An AC generator is used in a motor car to generate electric power
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Activity
1. On which principle does a generator operate on?
2. The diagram below shows an AC generator
(a) Name the parts labelled X and Y
(b) State one way of converting an AC generator to a DC generator
(c) state two ways of increasing a the induced e.m.f in an AC generator
(d)State two applications of an AC generator
(e) Give one advantage of an AC generator over a DC generator
3. The diagram below shows generator
(a) state the type of a generator
(b) sketch the graph of induced e.m.f against time for this type of a generator
(c) state one application of this type of a generator
