AC Generator Full Form

What is the Full Form of AC Generator?

AC generator refers to Alternating Current Generator.

Alternating Current is referred to as AC. It describes the current in which the direction of an electric charge frequently changes. Alternating current frequently changes its magnitude and direction. It starts from zero, grows to its maximum, returns to zero, and then expands to its maximum in the other direction before returning to zero once again.

AC Generator

The word "AC Generator" or "alternator" refers to an electric generator that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy. The alternating current sinusoidal waveform is used to represent the electrical energy. The performance of an AC generator is based on Faraday's electromagnetism induction principle.

Components Of An AC Generator

Components of an AC generator include

• Armature

• Field

• Slip Rings

• Prime Rover

• Rotor

• Stator

Each of these parts of an AC generator performs the functions mentioned below.

Armature

An armature is the area of an AC generator where the voltage is generated. The majority of this component consists of wire coils that are sufficiently sized to handle the generator's full-load current.

Field

The magnetic flux is produced by coils of conductors in the field, which absorb a voltage from the source. A voltage is created when the magnetic flux in the fields cuts the armature. The AC generator's output voltage is this one.

Slip Rings

An AC generator's rotor receives power through slip rings, which are electrical connections. Typically, they are made to transfer electricity from a fixed device to a revolving one.

Prime Mover

Prime mover refers to the element that powers the AC generator. Diesel engines, steam turbines, or motors are all possible choices for the prime mover.

Rotor

A rotor is the name for the generator's revolving part. The generator's primary mover drives the rotor.

Stator

An AC generator's stator is its stationary component. To reduce eddy current losses, the stator core is made of a lamination of steel alloys or magnetic iron.

Working Principle

The Working Principle of an AC Generator is based on the fact that these devices, which are also known as alternators, work according to Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction. When a conductor travels in a consistent magnetic field, it alters the magnetic flux connected with the coil and generates an EMF.

Emf Induced In An AC Generator

The motional emf generated by rotating a coil with N turns and area A at v rotations per second in a uniform magnetic field is e = NBA(2πv)sin(2πv)t, where we assume that the coil is perpendicular to the field at time t = 0 s. The Fleming right-hand rule or Lenz's law determines the direction of the induced emf.

According to Fleming's right-hand rule, the forefinger, middle finger, and thumb should all be stretched out so they are manually perpendicular to one another. If the forefinger represents the magnetic field's direction, the thumb represents the conductor's velocity. The middle finger shows the conductor's induced current's direction.

Advantages

A few advantages of AC generators:

• Transformers make it simple to step up and step down AC generators.

• Due to the obvious step-up functionality, AC generators have lesser transmission links.

• Losses are often lower in AC generators than in DC devices.