Principle Of Operation Of A Dc Generator

Principle of Operation of a D.C. Generator

All the generators works on a principle of dynamically induced e.m.f. This principle nothing but the Faraday’s law of electromagnetism induction. It states that, ‘whenever the number of magnetic lines of force i.e. flux linking with a conductor or a coil changes, an electromotive force is set up in that conductor or coil.’ The change in flux associated with the conductor can exist only when there exists a relative motion between a conductor and the flux. The relative motion can be achieved by rotating conductor with respect to flux or by rotating flux with respect to a conductor. So a voltage gets generated in a conductor, as long as there exists a relative motion between conductor and the flux.

Such an induced e.m.f. which is due to the physical movement of coil or conductor with respect to flux or movement of flux with respect to coil or conductor is called dynamically induced e.m.f.

Key Point : So a generating action requires following basic components to exist,

i) The conductor or a coil

ii) The relative motion between conductor and flux.

In a particular generator, the conductors are rotated to cut the magnetic flux, keeping flux stationary. To have a large voltage as the output, the number of conductors are connected together in a specific manner, to form a winding. This winding is called armature winding of a d.c. machine. The part on which this winding is kept is called armature of a d.c. machine. To have the rotation of conductors, the conductors placed on the armature are rotated with the help of some external device. Such an external device is called a prim mover. The commonly used prim movers are diesel engines, steam engines, steam turbines, water turbines etc. The necessary magnetic flux is produced by current carrying winding which is called field winding. The direction of the induced e.m.f. can be obtained by using Fleming’s right hand role.