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Basic Electrical Machines

Electrical machines convert energy from electrical to mechanical or vice versa. There are several types including electric motors that convert electrical energy to mechanical motion, generators that produce electricity from mechanical energy, and transformers that change voltage. Common motor types are AC motors, DC motors, and specialized motors like stepper motors. [/SUMMARY]

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34 views4 pages

Basic Electrical Machines

Electrical machines convert energy from electrical to mechanical or vice versa. There are several types including electric motors that convert electrical energy to mechanical motion, generators that produce electricity from mechanical energy, and transformers that change voltage. Common motor types are AC motors, DC motors, and specialized motors like stepper motors. [/SUMMARY]

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Gedion Avatar
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Electrical machines are devices that convert electrical energy into

mechanical energy or vice versa. There are several types of electrical


machines commonly used in various applications. Here are some of the
most important ones:

1. Electric Motors: Electric motors convert electrical energy into


mechanical energy. They are widely used in appliances, industrial
machinery, transportation systems, and many other applications.
There are various types of electric motors, including:
 AC Motors: Alternating current (AC) motors include induction
motors, synchronous motors, and brushed and brushless DC
motors.
 DC Motors: Direct current (DC) motors include brushed DC
motors and brushless DC motors.
2. Generators: Generators are electrical machines that convert
mechanical energy into electrical energy. They are commonly used in
power plants, backup power systems, and portable generators.
Generators can be classified into AC generators and DC generators,
depending on the type of current they produce.
3. Transformers: Transformers are electrical devices used to transfer
electrical energy between two or more circuits through
electromagnetic induction. They are essential for voltage
transformation and are used in power transmission and distribution
systems.
4. Alternators: Alternators are rotating machines that convert
mechanical energy into alternating current (AC) electrical energy.
They are commonly used in vehicles and power generation systems.
5. Transformers: Transformers are devices used to transfer electrical
energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic
induction. They are essential for voltage transformation and are used
in power transmission and distribution systems.
6. Synchronous Machines: Synchronous machines are AC machines that
operate at a constant speed and produce AC power at a fixed
frequency. They are commonly used in power systems to generate
and control electrical energy.
7. Induction Machines: Induction machines, also known as
asynchronous machines, are AC motors or generators that work
based on electromagnetic induction. They are widely used in various
applications due to their robustness and simplicity.
8. Stepper Motors: Stepper motors are motors that convert electrical
pulses into discrete mechanical movements. They are used in
applications that require precise control over position and speed,
such as CNC machines, 3D printers, and robotics.
9. Linear Motors: Linear motors are motors that produce linear motion
instead of rotational motion. They are used in applications such as
high-speed trains, conveyor systems, and precision positioning
systems.

These are just some of the major types of electrical machines. There are
other specialized machines and variations within each category, depending
on specific applications and requirements.

Principle of operation of a simple d.c. motor


A rectangular coil which is free to rotate about a fixed axis is shown placed inside a magnetic field
produced by permanent magnets in Fig. 8.17 A direct current is fed into the coil via carbon brushes
bearing on a commutator, which consists of a metal ring split into two halves separated by insulation.
When current flows in the coil a magnetic field is set up around the coil which interacts with the
magnetic field produced by the magnets. This causes a force F to be exerted on the currentcarrying
conductor which, by Fleming’s left-hand rule, is downwards between points A and B and upward
between C and D for the current direction shown. This causes a torque and the coil rotates
anticlockwise. When the coil has turned through 90° from the position shown in Fig. 8.17 the
brushes connected to the positive and negative terminals of the supply make contact with different
halves of the commutator ring, thus reversing the direction of the current flow in the conductor. If

the current is not


reversed and the coil rotates past this position the forces acting on it change
direction and it rotates in the opposite direction thus never making more than half a revolution. The
current direction is reversed every time the coil swings through the vertical position and thus the coil
rotates anti-clockwise for as long as the current flows. This is the principle of operation of a d.c.
motor which is thus a device that takes in electrical energy and converts it into mechanical energy.

The operation of single-phase and three-phase AC and DC motors differs in


terms of their power supply and underlying principles. Here's a brief
overview of their operations:

1. Single-Phase AC Motors:
 Single-Phase Induction Motors: Single-phase induction motors
are the most common type of single-phase AC motors. They
rely on the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate a
rotating magnetic field. However, due to the absence of a
rotating magnetic field in a single-phase power supply, these
motors require additional components like capacitors or
winding configurations (such as split-phase or shaded pole) to
create a starting torque. They are commonly used in household
appliances, fans, and small pumps.
 Single-Phase Synchronous Motors: Single-phase synchronous
motors are less common than induction motors and are
primarily used in specialized applications. These motors
operate at a fixed speed and require an external power factor
correction device to improve their efficiency and power factor.
2. Three-Phase AC Motors:
 Three-Phase Induction Motors: Three-phase induction motors
are the most widely used AC motors. They operate on the
principle of a rotating magnetic field produced by the three-
phase power supply. These motors are self-starting and provide
higher efficiency, power, and torque compared to single-phase
motors. Three-phase induction motors are commonly used in
industrial applications, pumps, compressors, and various
machinery.
 Three-Phase Synchronous Motors: Three-phase synchronous
motors operate at a constant speed and maintain synchronism
with the frequency of the power supply. They are often used in
applications where precise speed control is required, such as in
large industrial processes, power generation, and synchronous
motors used in electric grids.
3. DC Motors:
 DC Motors: DC motors operate on the principle of Lorentz
force, where a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic
field experiences a force. There are different types of DC
motors, including brushed DC motors and brushless DC (BLDC)
motors.
 Brushed DC Motors: Brushed DC motors use a
commutator and brushes to switch the current direction
in the motor windings, creating a rotating magnetic field.
They are widely used in applications like electric vehicles,
robotics, and small appliances.
 Brushless DC Motors: BLDC motors use electronic
commutation instead of brushes and commutators. They
offer advantages such as higher efficiency, longer
lifespan, and improved control. BLDC motors are
commonly used in appliances, industrial machinery, and
automotive applications.

In summary, single-phase motors, whether AC or DC, require additional


components or winding configurations to start, while three-phase motors
are self-starting due to the rotating magnetic field generated by the three-
phase power supply. Additionally, AC motors operate based on
electromagnetic induction, while DC motors operate based on the Lorentz
force principle.

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