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Description of  Alternator Detailed Ebook: What is mean by Alternators - With Questions and Answers on Alternators

A.C. generators or alternators (as they are usually called) operate on the same fundamental principles of electromagnetic induction as d.c. generators. They also consist of an armature winding and a magnetic field. But there is one important difference between the two. Whereas in d.c. generators, the armature rotates and the field system is stationary, the arrangement in alternators is just the reverse of it. In their case, standard construction consists of armature winding mounted on a stationary element called stator and field windings on a rotating element called rotor. The stator consists of a cast-iron frame, which supports the armature core, having slots on its inner periphery for housing the armature conductors. The rotor is like a flywheel having alternate N and S poles fixed to its outer rim. The magnetic poles are excited (or magnetised) from direct current supplied by a d.c. source at 125 to 600 volts. In most cases, necessary exciting (or magnetising) current is obtained from a small d.c. shunt generator which is belted or mounted on the shaft of the alternator itself. Because the field magnets are rotating, this current is supplied through two sliprings. As the exciting voltage is relatively small, the slip-rings and brush gear are of light construction. Recently, brushless excitation systems have been developed in which a 3-phase a.c. exciter and a group of rectifiers supply d.c. to the alternator. Hence, brushes, slip-rings and commutator are eliminated. Full Details In Book