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Figure 3   Basic Operation of a DC Generator
Figure 6   Commutation in a DC Generator

Electrical Science Volume 2 of 4
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DC Generators DC GENERATOR THEORY Figure 4   Left-Hand Rule for Generators Commutator Action The  commutator  converts  the  AC Figure 5   Commutator Segments and Brushes voltage  generated  in  the  rotating loop  into  a  DC  voltage.    It  also serves  as  a  means  of  connecting the  brushes  to  the  rotating  loop. The  purpose  of  the  brushes  is  to connect  the  generated  voltage  to an external circuit.   In order to do this, each brush must make contact with  one  of  the  ends  of  the  loop. Since the loop or armature rotates, a direct connection is impractical. Instead, the brushes are connected to the ends of the loop through the commutator. In a simple one-loop generator, the commutator is made up of two semicylindrical pieces of a smooth  conducting  material,  usually  copper,  separated  by  an  insulating  material,  as  shown  in Figure  5.    Each  half  of  the  commutator  segments  is  permanently  attached  to  one  end  of  the rotating loop, and the commutator rotates with the loop.   The brushes, usually made of carbon, rest against the commutator and slide along the commutator as it rotates.   This is the means by which the brushes make contact with each end of the loop. Rev. 0 Page 7 ES-05







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