Definition of Alternator
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in alternating current. Most of the alternators use a rotating magnetic field with a stationary armature. The Alternator is used at an electrical generating station and other power generation sectors. An alternator is a machine that is used to generate electrical energy. For this reason, most peoples think that how does alternator operate to generate electricity. We will discuss this in detail below but the alternator or generator can be used for some other purposes.
What is Alternator Operation?
Alternator operation is the rotor winding is energized from the DC excitation and the alternator alternates N and S poles. These are developed on the rotor. When the rotor of the alternator is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction by a prime mover, the stator of the alternator or armature conductors are cut by rotor poles.
Then, e.m.f. is induced in the armature conductors due to the electromagnetic induction process. The induced e.m.f. is alternate from the N and S poles of the rotor and passes through the armature conductors. The direction of induced e.m.f. may be found by Fleming right-hand rule, and frequency is given by,
- f = NP / 120
- P = number of rotor poles
- Where N is the speed of the rotor in r.p.m.
The magnitude of the voltage induced in each phase depends upon the rotor flux, the number of conductors in the phase, and the rotor’s speed. When the rotor is rotated, then the 3-phase voltage is induced in the armature of the Alternator. The magnitude of induced e.m.f. depends upon the speed of rotation and the DC exciting current. The magnitude of e.m.f. in each phase of the alternator armature winding will be the same. However, they differ in phase by 120° electrical degree.
What is the Working Principle of Alternator?
Sometimes a question arises how does an alternator operate to generate electricity? The working principle of an alternator is elementary. It is just like the basic working principle of a DC generator. It also depends upon Faraday’s law of the electromagnetic induction process. This says the current is induced in the conductor inside a magnetic field of the Alternator when there is a relative motion between that conductor and magnetic field.
All of the alternators work on the principle of the electromagnetic induction process. Every alternator operates on the same fundamental working principle as a DC generator. The alternator also has the same armature winding and armature field winding as a DC generator. But there is one crucial difference between the two such as.
In a DC generator, the armature winding is placed on the rotor to convert the alternating voltage generated in the armature winding to a direct voltage at the rotating commutator. The field poles are placed on the stationary part of the Alternator. Because no commutator is required in an alternator, it is usually more convenient and advantageous to place the field winding on the rotating part (rotor) and armature winding on the stationary part (stator).
An alternator has a 3-phase winding on the stator and a DC field winding on the rotor. This DC source (called exciter) is generally a small DC shunt or compound generator mounted on the Alternator’s shaft.
Rotor Construction
There are two types of rotor construction in the Alternator, namely.
- Salient pole type
- Non-salient pole type
Salient Pole Type
In the salient pole type alternator, salient are mounted on a large circular steel frame fixed to the Alternator’s shaft.
Non-Salient Pole Type
In a cylindrical pole-type alternator, the rotor is made of a smooth solid forged-steel radial cylinder having several slots along the outer periphery.
What are the Types of Alternators?
From this standpoint, two types of alternators are widely used in electrical power system
- Revolving armature type
- Revolving field type.
The four different types of alternators include
- Automotive alternators used in modern automobiles
- Marine alternators are used in marine applications.
- Brushless alternators are used in electrical power generation or Power plants as the primary source of electrical power.
- Radio alternators are used for low-band radio frequency transmission.
What are the Applications of Alternator?
Alternators are used to generate electricity in power plants, and in modern automobiles to charge the automobile battery and to power the electrical system. Until 1960, automobiles used DC dynamo generators with the commutator. Alternators are widely used in electrical power plants to generate electricity. We can say Alternator is the source of electricity.
Difference Between Alternator and Generator
The difference between the Alternator and generator is given here, which explains how they are different from each other concerning structure, output, efficiency, etc. These alternator generator differences may help to get a clear conception. Before starting with the differences, it is essential to know what a generator is and how it works. The differences between the Alternator and generator are included.
| Sl. No. | Differentiating Property | Alternator | Generator |
| A | Definition | An alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy into AC electrical energy. | A DC generator is a mechanical device that converts AC or DC electrical energy. |
| B | Output Current | An alternator always induces an alternating current. | A generator may generate alternating or direct current. |
| C | Energy Efficiency | Alternators are very efficient. | Generators are considered less efficient. |
| D | Output | Alternators have a higher output power than generators. | Generators have a lower output power when compared with an alternator. |
| E | Energy Conservation | Alternators use only the required amount of energy and thus, it conserves more energy. | Generators use all the energy that is produced and so, they conserve less energy. |
| F | Polarization After Installation | Polarization is not required in the case of alternators. | Generators need to be polarized after installation. |
| G | Magnetic Field | The rotating magnetic field is inside the stator of an alternator. | In the case of a generator, the magnetic field is stationary or fixed where the armature winding spins. |
| H | Armature Movement | The armature of an alternator is stationary. | The armature of a generator is rotating. |
| I | Input Supply | The alternator takes the input supply from the stator. | The generator takes the input supply from the rotor. |
What is the main Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Motors?
| BASIS | SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR | ASYNCHRONOUS MOTOR |
| Definition | A synchronous motor is a machine whose rotor speed, and the stator magnetic field are equal. N= NS = 120f/P | An asynchronous motor is a machine whose rotor rotates at less than the synchronous speed. N < NS |
| Type | The Brushless motor, Variable Reluctance Motor, Switched Reluctance Motor, and Hysteresis motor is the synchronous motor. | Asynchronous Motor is called Asynchronous Motor. |
| Slip | The synchronous motor does not have a slip. The value of the slip is zero. | Asynchronous motors have slip therefore the value of slip is not equal to zero. |
| Additional power source | It requires an additional DC excitation to initially rotate the rotor near the synchronous speed. | It does not require any additional exciting current. |
| Slip ring and brushes | Slip ring and brushes are required | Slip rings and brushes are not required. |
| Cost | Synchronous motor is costly as compared to Asynchronous motor | It is less costly |
| Efficiency | Efficiency is greater than Asynchronous motor. | It is less efficient |
| Power factor | By changing excitation the power factor may be adjusted accordingly as lagging, leading, or unity. | Asynchronous motor runs only at a lagging power factor. |
| Current supply | Current is given to the rotor of the synchronous motor | The rotor of the Asynchronous motor does not require any current. |
| Speed | The Speed of the motor does not depend on the variation in the load. Speed is constant. | The Speed of the Asynchronous motor decreases with the increasing load. |
Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Generator
The main difference between synchronous and asynchronous generators is rotor synchronism. When the rotor rotates slower than synchronous speed the generator acts as a motor. When the rotor rotates at a more speed than synchronous speed then the rotor acts as a generator.
Synchronous generators are one of the most commonly used alternators. The modern power generation industry is widely used in hydroelectric power, thermal power plant, nuclear power generation, and diesel power generation. The asynchronous motor that operates as a generator is one of the most commonly used alternators.
The asynchronous generator is an alternator that utilizes an air gap rotating magnetic field between a stator and a rotor to interact with an induced current in a rotor winding. According to the working principle, it is also called an Induction generator. The speed of the generator is a little bit higher than the synchronous speed. The output power of the asynchronous generator increases or decreases with the slip rate.
Why do We need Parallel Operation of Alternators?
Alternator parallel operation is an important issue. Now we are going to discuss the parallel operation of alternators. Suppose there are four alternators installed in any power plant, and they are operating at the same load. If somehow the load demand is increased than the rated load, and meeting the extra load demand is not possible then another alternator is needed to connect in parallel to meet the extra load demand which is called alternator parallel operation. It is noted that both alternators must be at the same power and will also rotate at the same (r.p.m.) speed, the phase sequence will be the same, and the incoming voltage must be the same.