Electrical and Electronics
International Journal on Hands-on Science [ISSN (print): 1646-8937; (online): 1646-8945]
Received July 21, 2008; Accepted September 3, 2008. Volume 1, Number 1, September 2008.
The Hands-on Science Network’ 2008
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Alternating Current and Direct Current Generator
Pedro Portela, João Sepúlveda, João Sena Esteves
Department of Industrial Electronic
University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal delfimpedrosa@gmail.com, sena@dei.uminho.pt
Abstract. Spinning a wire loop within a uniform magnetic field in a convenient fashion induces a voltage between the loop terminals.
This effect can be used to build an electric power generator, such as the one described in this paper. A coil attached to a shaft spins within the magnetic field of a "U" shaped magnet. Three conveniently designed conductive disks allow the electrical load of the generator to be fed either with alternating current or direct current.
the loop terminals is sinusoidal with zero mean value (Fig. 2). Its frequency is equal to the number of revolutions per second executed by the loop.
Each terminal of the loop is connected to a metallic ring. The contacts with rings are made by means of fixed brushes. If the brushes are connected to an electrical load, an alternating current will be established in the circuit.
Keywords. Alternating Current, Direct Current,
Generator, Magnetic Field, Induced Voltage.
1. Introduction
Although diverse forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical etc.) can be converted into electrical energy, the expression electric generator is reserved, in the industry, only for the machines that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generators that produce direct current (DC) are called dynamos and the ones that produce alternating current
(AC) are called alternators.
The device described in
Received July 21, 2008; Accepted September 3, 2008. Volume 1, Number 1, September 2008.
The Hands-on Science Network’ 2008
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alternating Current and Direct Current Generator
Pedro Portela, João Sepúlveda, João Sena Esteves
Department of Industrial Electronic
University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal delfimpedrosa@gmail.com, sena@dei.uminho.pt
Abstract. Spinning a wire loop within a uniform magnetic field in a convenient fashion induces a voltage between the loop terminals.
This effect can be used to build an electric power generator, such as the one described in this paper. A coil attached to a shaft spins within the magnetic field of a "U" shaped magnet. Three conveniently designed conductive disks allow the electrical load of the generator to be fed either with alternating current or direct current.
the loop terminals is sinusoidal with zero mean value (Fig. 2). Its frequency is equal to the number of revolutions per second executed by the loop.
Each terminal of the loop is connected to a metallic ring. The contacts with rings are made by means of fixed brushes. If the brushes are connected to an electrical load, an alternating current will be established in the circuit.
Keywords. Alternating Current, Direct Current,
Generator, Magnetic Field, Induced Voltage.
1. Introduction
Although diverse forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical etc.) can be converted into electrical energy, the expression electric generator is reserved, in the industry, only for the machines that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generators that produce direct current (DC) are called dynamos and the ones that produce alternating current
(AC) are called alternators.
The device described in
References: Fundamentals. McGraw-Hill, 1985. Processos, Dispositivos e Sistemas. McGrawHill do Brasil, 1975.