Types of AC Generators
- AC generators keep the lights on.street building lit up, moscow image by mashe from Fotolia.com
AC generators, or alternating current generators as they are sometimes called, are machines that provide differing current. Current is the flow of electricity. The current alternates from positive to negative polarity and allows the flow of power to change with it. In the end, this turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators are very useful to have in the event of power failures or where power might not be available. There are two major types of AC generators. - The rotating-armature generator rotates in a stationary magnetic field. The armature is what produces the power in a generator. To help with this, slip rings are used. A slip ring is a type of connector. Two are needed --- one goes on each side of the field to connect the power. This type of alternator is not used very often because it does not provide power in the large quantities often needed by a generator.
- With the rotating-field alternator, the alternator itself is stationary while the field rotates. Because the armature is not moving, the power can be connected right to the source that needs the power. For this reason the rotating-field alternator is the more commonly used of the two types of rotating AC generators.
- AC generators, or more specifically the armatures in AC generators are scored based on the voltage that they can produce as well as the maximum current that they can put out. This current depends on what the heating loss is on the armature. If it is to high, it will destroy the insulation and thus the unit. Information on the unit is provided in the casing. It includes the voltage, the type of operating system and the limits of the system.
