DC Generators
DC GENERATOR THEORY
DC GENERATOR THEORY
DC generators are widely used to produce a DC voltage. The amount of voltage
produced depends on a variety of factors.
EO 1.5
LIST the three conditions necessary to induce a
voltage into a conductor.
EO 1.6
Using
the
left-hand
rule
of
generators,
DETERMINE the direction of the magnetic field,
the motion of the conductor, or the direction of
current induced into a conductor.
EO 1.7
DESCRIBE how terminal voltage of a DC
generator is adjusted.
EO 1.8
STATE the basis behind each of the four DC
generator ratings.
EO 1.9
LIST the four internal losses found in a DC
generator.
Voltage Production
Recall from Module 3, DC Circuits, that there are three conditions necessary to induce a voltage
into a conductor.
1.
A magnetic field
2.
A conductor
3.
Relative motion between the two
A DC generator provides these three conditions to produce a DC voltage output.
Theory of Operation
A basic DC generator has four basic parts: (1) a magnetic field; (2) a single conductor, or loop;
(3) a commutator; and (4) brushes (Figure 3). The magnetic field may be supplied by either a
permanent magnet or an electromagnet. For now, we will use a permanent magnet to describe
a basic DC generator.
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