What is the difference between a motor and a generator? I understand that a motor turns electrical energy into mechanical energy and that a generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. What are the physical differences of the structure of each (and role of each)? They seem so similar to me...
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Motors and generators (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dragie
- Start date
Physically they can be the same, except you have a power supply on a motor and an electrical load on the generator.
The motor is connected to something it drives, the generator is connected to something driving the rotor.
The motor is connected to something it drives, the generator is connected to something driving the rotor.
Mountain.Dew
Magician, and Lawyer.
there are essentially the same things: both have a form of a 'commutator' (for DC, slip rings for AC, mind you a DC generator has SPLIT rings) , have field magents, coil, and axis to rotate on.
roles are very distinct: the motor turns electrical energy into kinetic or mechanical energy, and the generator does the exact opposite.
thats pretty much all u need to know about the differences between motors and generators. HOWEVER, you might like to know that the generator usually has a kind of a 'shaft', a handle that can be turned to turn the axis, turn the coil, generate electricity.
there are minor differences in the structures of AC vs. DC though. these are more specific in detail. your textbook should have sufficient detail on these differences.
roles are very distinct: the motor turns electrical energy into kinetic or mechanical energy, and the generator does the exact opposite.
thats pretty much all u need to know about the differences between motors and generators. HOWEVER, you might like to know that the generator usually has a kind of a 'shaft', a handle that can be turned to turn the axis, turn the coil, generate electricity.
there are minor differences in the structures of AC vs. DC though. these are more specific in detail. your textbook should have sufficient detail on these differences.
