AC and DC Motors and Generators (1 Viewer)

[yxs]

Hi Guys!

What are the main differences between motors and generators? and what are the differences between AC motors (or generators) and DC motors (or generators)?

Thanks in advance

 

[Fortify]

Motors - Electrical Energy -> Mechanical Energy
Generators - Mechanical Energy -> Electrical Energy

AC - Slip Ring Commutator
DC - Split Ring Commutator

 

[helper]

AC motors also may be induction motors and they need to be looked at.

 

[annabackwards]

Structure wise:

Similarities
• A stator provides a magnetic field
• A rotor that rotates within the magnetic field.
• The magnetic field may be supplied either by permanent magnets or by electromagnets.
• The rotor in both an electric motor and a generator consists of coils of wire wound on a laminated iron armature and connected through brushes to an external circuit.
• DC motor and generator’s rotor coils are connected to the external circuit through a split-ring commutator.
• An AC generator is different as its rotor coils are connected to the external circuit through slip rings. An AC induction motor is different from a generator as its rotor coils are not connected to an external circuit and its field is always supplied by electromagnets.

Differences
• The function of an electric motor is the reverse of the function of a generator. An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• A motor rotates when current is supplied while a generator supplies current when rotor is made to rotate.

From this, as Fortify said:
Motors convert Electrical Energy to Mechanical Energy while Generators convert Mechanical Energy to Electrical Energy