Alternators

Basic Principle
AC generators are usually called alternators
Alternators operate on the same fundamental principles of electromagnetic induction as dc
generators.
DC Generator AC Generator (Alternator)
The alternating voltage is rectified Has no rectifier and delivers AC electric
through the medium of a commutator energy to its loads
and brushes
ROTOR: Armature windings ROTOR: field windings
STATOR: field windings STATOR: armature windings
Unlike DC generators, alternators must be driven at a very definite constant speed because the
frequency of the generated emf is determined by that speed (called synchronous speed).
This is the reason why alternators are frequency called synchronous alternators or synchronous
generators
Basic Principle
 Generation of an
AC Output
When the loop is in
vertical position , the
coil sides do not cut
magnetic lines of
force; thus, no
voltage induced in
the loop.
As the coil rotates,
the coil sides will cut
the magnetic lines of
force in opposite
directions.
The direction of the
induced voltages
depends on the
direction of the
movement of the
coil.
Production of AC in Alternators
Armature conductor

Air Gap

Armature conductor
Frequency of Alternating Current
Generators
In an alternator, there exists a definite relationship between the rotational speed (N) of the
rotor, the frequency (f) of the generated EMF and the number of poles P.
ROTATIONAL SPEED (N):
As the poles of a two-pole alternator revolve, the generated emf in the stationary armature
winding changes direction every half revolution.
The frequency in cycles per second will depend directly upon the number of revolutions per second
(rpm/60) made by the field.

POLES:
If the generator is multipolar, i.e., if it has four, six, eight or more poles, then the frequency per
revolution will be, respectively, two, three, four, or more.
The frequency per revolution is equal to the number of pairs of poles
Frequency of Alternating Current
Generators
Frequency of the emf in an alternator is proportional to the following:
1. The speed in revolutions per second (rpm/60)
2. The number of pairs of poles (P/2)
𝑃 𝑟𝑝𝑚 𝑃 × 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑓= × =
2 60 120

𝑃𝑁
𝑓=
120
For producing a frequency of 60Hz, the
alternator will have to run at the following
speeds:

No. of poles 2 4 6 12 24 36
Speed (rpm) 3600 1800 1200 600 300 200
Generated Voltage in an Alternator
An average of 1 volt is generated in one turn of wire if the flux passing through that turn changes
at the rate of 10^8 maxwells per second.

∅
𝐸𝑎𝑣 = 𝑁 × × 10−8
𝑡

𝐸𝑎𝑣 = average generated voltage ∅=flux per pole (maxwells)

𝑁=number of turns in coil per phase 𝑡=time, in seconds, for flux to change by ∅
∅
𝐸𝑎𝑣 = 𝑁 × × 10−8
1
4f
𝑍
𝐸 = 4.44f𝑁 × ∅ × 10−8 Note: 𝑁 = 2
Armature Windings
for Alternators
Single layer/ half-coiled
2 # 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑠 = # 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠
1
# 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑠 = # 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠
2
Armature Windings
for Alternators
Double layer/ whole-coiled
# 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑠 = # 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠
Example
The following information is given in connection with an alternator: slots= 144 ; poles= 8;
rpm=900, turns per coil = 6 ∅= 1.8 x 106 winding= whole-coiled three phase, winding connection
= wye. Calculate
a.) the voltage per phase and
b.) the voltage between the terminals.

Answer
𝐸𝜙 = 1381.0176V
𝐸𝐿 = 2391. 9926V