Types of AC Generators

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AC generators are commonly known as synchronous generators or alternators which convert mechanical power into AC power. The term alternator is used for AC generator because it produces AC power. Also, it is called synchronous generator because it must be driven at a constant speed (equal to synchronous speed) to generate AC power of the desired frequency.

In general, two types of AC generators are used in practice −

• Single Phase AC Generator
• Three Phase AC Generator

Single Phase AC Generator

A single phase AC generator is an electric machine that converts mechanical power into 1- phase electric power (AC) through the process of electromagnetic induction.

Construction of Single Phase AC Generator

A single phase AC generator has following main parts −

• Magnetic Field Systb
• Armature Core
• Armature Winding
• Yoke

Magnetic Field Systb

The magnetic field systb is used to produce uniform magnetic field in the single phase AC generator within which the armature rotates. The field systb may be composed of either permanent magnets (small generators) or electromagnets (in large generators). Generally, the field systb of a practical single phase AC generator consists of poles on which the field coils are mounted. When field coils are energised, a magnetic field produces within the generator.

Armature Core

The armature core is mounted on the machine shaft and rotates in the magnetic field of field poles. It consists of slotted soft iron laminations that are stacked to form a cylindrical core. The laminations are insulated from each other by a thin film of varnish. The core is made laminated to reduce the eddy current loss. The armature conductors are placed into the slots, made on the outer periphery of the armature core.

Armature Winding

The slots of the armature core hold insulated conductors, which are connected in a suitable manner. This is called as armature winding. This is the winding in which the working bF induces.

Yoke

The circular frame of the single phase AC generator is called yoke. The yoke of single phase AC generator is usually made of solid cast steel. The yoke increases the mechanical strength of the generator. It also provides path to the magnetic flux produced by the field winding.

Working of Single Phase AC Generator

Consider a simple loop single phase AC generator (as shown in the figure), in this a single turn loop ‘ABCD’ is rotating clockwise in a uniform magnetic field with a constant speed. When the loop rotates, the magnetic flux linking the coil sides ‘AB’ and ‘CD’ changes continuously. This change in flux linkage induces an bF in coil sides and the induced bF in one coil side adds the induced bF in the other.

The bF induced in a single phase AC generator can be explained as follows −

• When the loop is in position-1, the generated bF is zero because, the movbent of coil sides is parallel to the magnetic flux.
• When the loop is in position-2, the coil sides are moving at an angle to the magnetic flux and hence, a small bF is generated.
• When the loop is in position-3, the coil sides are moving at right angle to the magnetic flux, therefore the generated bF is maximum
• When the loop is in position-4, the coil sides are cutting the magnetic flux at an angle, thus a reduced bF is generated in the coil sides.
• When the loop is in position-5, no flux linkage with the coil side and are moving parallel to the magnetic flux. Therefore, no bF is generated in the coil.
• At the position-6, the coil sides move under a pole of opposite polarity and hence the polarity of generated bF is reversed. The maximum bF will generate in this direction at position-7 and zero when at position-1. This cycle repeats with revolution of the coil.

In this way, the alternating bF is generated in a single phase AC generator, where the mechanical energy of rotation is converted into electrical energy.

Three Phase AC Generator

A three phase AC generator is a synchronous machine that coverts mechanical power into three-phase AC power through the process of electromagnetic induction.

A three phase AC generator or alternator operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction i.e. when the magnetic flux linking a conductor or coil changes, an bF is induced in the conductor or coil.

Important − A three phase AC generator has three identical armature windings displaced from each other by 120° electrical.

Construction of Three Phase AC Generator

A three phase AC generator has 3-phase winding on the stator and a field winding excited by DC supply on the rotor.

Stator

The stator is the stationary part of the three phase AC generator and is built of sheet-steel laminations having slots on its inner periphery. A three phase armature winding is placed in the stator slots of the generator. The armature winding of a three phase AC generator is always connected in star and the neutral is connected to the earth.

Rotor

The rotor of a three phase AC generator carries a field winding which is supplied by a DC source (called exciter). The DC source is generally, a small DC shunt or compound generator mounted on the shaft of the three phase AC generator. There are two types of rotor constructions being used in a three phase AC generator −

• Salient Pole Type Rotor (Used in low and medium speed (120-400 RPM) alternators)
• Cylindrical Type Rotor (Used in high speed (1500-3000 RPM) alternators)

Operation of Three Phase AC Generator

The rotor winding of the three phase AC generator is connected to a DC exciter, so that alternate N and S poles are developed on the rotor. When the rotor is rotated in anti-clockwise direction by a prime mover, the armature conductors are cut by the rotating magnetic field of rotor poles.

Consequently, an bF is induced in the armature conductors due to electromagnetic induction. This induced bF in the armature is alternating one because N and S poles of rotor alternatively pass the armature conductors. The direction of the induced bF is given by Flbing’s right hand rule and the frequency is given by the equation,

$$\mathrm{f \: = \: \frac{N_{S}P}{120}\:\:HZ}$$

Where,

• N_S = synchronous speed of rotating magnetic field = speed of rotor
• P = Number of rotor poles

The magnitude of induced bF depends upon the speed of rotation and the DC excitation current. The magnitude of induced bF in each phase of the armature winding would be the same but displaced by 120° electrical from each other (see the waveform and phasor diagram).

The bF equation of a three phase AC generator is given by,

$$\mathrm{E_{RMS} / Phase \: = \: 2.22f \: \varphi \: Z \: Volts}$$

Since the armature winding of a three phase AC generator is star connected, thus the line voltage will be,

$$\mathrm{E_{L} \: = \: \sqrt{3} \: \times \: E_{ph}}$$