EMI - Electric Generator

Electric Generator

Introduction

Arguably the most important application of electromagnetic induction is the electric generator. This device is responsible for providing the electrical energy that lights our homes, schools, and businesses. Without it, there would be no internet as we know it. Electricity is at the foundation of a modern way of life.

Remember from a previous unit that an electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. An electric generator is essentially the opposite in that it converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The physical make-up of an electric generator can be identical to that of an electric motor. The difference is that you must physically rotate the coil in the generator in order to induce a current.

In our earlier lesson we focused on the workings of a DC (direct current) electric motor. The key component in that motor was the split ring commutator. An electric generator with a similar split ring will create direct current and is referred to as a DC generator. If you replace the split ring with two slip rings you get a generator that produces an alternating current (AC). AC generators are used in almost all electrical power plants as AC is the current that runs through our power grid.

This video demonstrates the working of both a DC and AC generator.

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