Worksheet 9-Generating Electrical Power Flashcards
What is the device called that produced the flow of current by mechanically passing a conductor through a magnetic field?
An electric generator is a mechanical device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
What are the two possible voltage types that can be produced by generators?
Two types of generators are AC and DC.
What is the purpose of a commutator in an electric motor?
A commutator is a device that when combined with brushes, automatically connects the voltage produced by the motor output to a load. The commutator is connected in such a way that the brushes only make contact to produce a DC output. No contact is made during the negative phase of the alternation.
What is the sine wave output of a single conductor generator with brushes and commutator as it rotates?
A single winding generator produces a pulsed DC output where the polarity is always positive.
What are some problems or hazards around DC motors and generators have that AC generators don’t normally have especially at high altitudes?
The AC generator does not require brushes and commutators that may produce sparks and sometimes a loss of current due to carbon on the brushes caused by arcing.
What determines the output frequency of an AC generator?
The speed of rotation determines the output frequency. Faster rotation means higher frequency.
Referring to the diagram, what type of generator would produce a sine wave line this?
This is a sine wave from a DC generator producing a pulsing DC current.
