Lesson 12.

Electric Motor and Generator:

AC and DC
 discuss how an electric
1 motor work;
Objectives
At the end explain the operation of a
of the
2 simple electric motor; and
lesson, you
should be
able to:
differentiate a DC from AC
3 motor.
 Learn about It!

Review:
• What is Electromagnetic induction?
• Who is Oersted and Faraday?
 Learn about It!

Current-carrying Wire and Galvanometer

• The production of a magnetic field by a current-carrying
wire was first noted by Hans Christian Oersted in 1820
during one of his lectures.

• Oersted placed a compass near a wire connected to a

battery. When the switch is turned on, the compass needle
deflects as the current flows through the wire. This shows
that electric current generates magnetic field.
 Learn about It!

Maxwell’s Right-Hand Grip Rule

• One convenient rule in remembering
the direction of magnetic field in a
current carrying wire is the Maxwell’s
right hand rule.

• When you point your right thumb in the

direction of the current, the direction of
the magnetic field is the direction of the
curl of the remaining four fingers. Maxwell’s Right-Hand
Grip Rule
 Learn about It!

Galvanometer
• A galvanometer is a current-
detecting device that uses a
stationary magnet mounted
with moving coil attached to
a needle. The greater the
current present in the wire,
the larger the deflection of
the needle.
 Learn about It!

Galvanometer
• The coil of the galvanometer
rotates as current passes
through it. A pointer attached
to it also moves whenever
the coil rotates. If there is no
current flow, the coil and
pointer are kept at zero
position by a tiny spring.
 Learn about It!

Next slide…
• Electric motors and Generators
 Learn about It!

Electric Motor
• It converts electrical energy
into mechanical energy.

• The major difference

between a galvanometer and
a motor is that current in an
electric motor reverses
direction each time the coil
turns half-way.
 Learn about It!
Example: Fleming’s Left-hand Rule for Motors
• The figure shows that the flow of
the current is from the battery →
conducting brush X → split ring P
→ arm AB → arm CD →
conducting brush Y → split ring Q.
 Learn about It!

Applying Fleming’s Left-hand Rule for Motors

• The next figure shows the location of the parts of the
electric motor after half rotation of the coil.
 Learn about It!

Applying Fleming’s Left-hand Rule for Motors

• Notice that the location of arm AB and
CD is reversed.

• Also, the split ring Q now touches the

brush X and the split ring P now
touches the brush Y. This means that
the flow of the current will be reversed
after the half rotation.
 Learn about It!

Applying Fleming’s Left-hand Rule for Motors

• The current flow will be from D → C → B
→ A. in effect, the reverse current flow will
also reverse the force acting on the arms
AB and CD.

• Thus, after the half rotation, the arm AB

which previously pushed downwards will
now be pushed upwards and the arm CD
which is previously pushed upwards will
now be pushed downwards.
 Learn about It!

Applying Fleming’s Left-hand Rule for Motors

• Therefore, the reversing of the current

occurs every half rotation which
creates a continuous rotating motion of
an electric motor.
 Learn about It!

DC and AC Motors
DC Motors
• DC motors are powered by direct current sources like
batteries.

• In this type of motor, the coil of wire rotates while the

magnetic field (produced by magnets or electromagnets)
stays in one direction.

• DC motors are commonly used in applications where

motors need to be externally controlled.
 Learn about It!

DC and AC Motors
AC Motors

• AC motors do not use brushes and commutators. Unlike a

DC motor, an AC motor has a rotating magnetic field and a
stationary armature.

• It also has a longer lifespan and is usually utilized when

there is a need for power at an extended period of time.
Learn about It!
 Learn about It!

History and Development of Electric Motors

Key Points

A galvanometer is a current-detecting device that uses a

1 stationary magnet mounted with moving coil attached to a
needle.

Electric motors convert electrical energy to mechanical

2 energy.

Maxwell’s right-hand grip rule shows the direction of current

and magnetic field. When you point your right thumb in the
3 direction of the current, the direction of the magnetic field is
the direction of the curl of the remaining four fingers.
Key Points

The Fleming’s left-hand rule is used to identify the

4 direction of movement of the current-carrying wire if
placed in a magnetic field.

There are two types of motors – direct current (DC) and

alternating current (AC) motors.
○ DC motors are commonly used in applications where
5 motors need to be externally controlled.
○ AC motors are usually utilized when there is a need
for power at an extended period of time.
Lesson 12.1

Electric Generator
 Learn about It!

Electric generators
• Converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
 Learn about It!

How Do Generators Induce Electric Current?

There are two ways on how electric current can be induced in
a coil of wire:

-by moving a magnet into and out of a stationary coil of wire,

or

-by moving the coil of wire near a stationary magnet

 Learn about It!

By moving a magnet into and out of a stationary

coil of wire
 Learn about It!

By moving the coil of wire near a stationary

magnet
 Learn about It!

Generator
• Mechanical energy exerted to rotate the coil generates
electrical energy that can power a load such as a light bulb.

• Two types:
a. AC Generator - current produced alternates back and
forth
b. DC Generator - current produced is only in one direction
 Learn about It!

AC Generator
 Learn about It!

DC Generator
 Learn about It!

History and Development of Generators

Key Points

Voltage, which causes current, can be induced in a coil of

wire in two ways: (1) by moving a magnet into and out of a
1 stationary coil of wire or; (2) by moving the coil of wire
near a stationary magnet.

There are two types of generators: the alternating

current (AC) generator and the direct current (DC)
2 generator. Both generators depend on the principle of
electromagnetic induction.
Key Points

Fleming’s right-hand rule is used to identify the direction

of the current. To do this, just point your thumb in the
3 direction of the movement. The index finger shows the
direction of the magnetic field. The middle finger will then
show you the direction of the current.

Michael Faraday, Hippolyte Pixii, Sir Charles Wheatstone,

Werner Von Siemens, Samuel Alfred Varley, and Sebastian
4 Ziani de Ferranti are the scientists that contributed to the
development of generators.
 Check Your Understanding

Read and analyze the following statements

given. Write true if the statement is correct and
false if incorrect.
1. A galvanometer is a device that measures the presence of
magnetic field.

2. DC motors are usually utilized when there is a need for

power at an extended period of time.

3. Peter Barlow invented the very first rotating device in 1822.

 Check Your Understanding

Read and analyze the following statements

given. Write true if the statement is correct and
false if incorrect.
4. As the magnet is introduced, the magnetic field strength
inside the coil decreases and the induced current in the coil
moves in one direction.

5. As the magnet is continuously pushed in and pulled out, the

strength of the voltage continues to change.
 Challenge Yourself

What is the difference between AC and DC motor?

What is the difference between an AC generator

and DC generator?
 Bibliography

electrical4u.com “Working Principle of Three Phase Induction Motor”. Accessed May 17, 2017.
https://bit.ly/2nx2lEI

Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics: Principles with Applications 7th Edition. 2013. New Jersey: Pearson

Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics. 2014. USA: Pearson Education Inc.

Hugh D. Young, et al. Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics 13th Edition. 2012.
California: Pearson Education Inc.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. “Jacobi’s Motor”. Accessed May 17, 2017.

https://www.eti.kit.edu/english/1382.php

Ohio Electric Motor Inc. “Difference of AC motor and DC motor.” Accessed May 17, 2017.
https://bit.ly/2vDGPCR
 Bibliography

Serway, Raymond A. and Jerry S. Faugh. 2012. Physics. USA: Holt The Historical Archive. “The History of
Electricity – A timeline”. Accessed May 17, 2017.
http://www.thehistoricalarchive.com/happenings/57/the-history-of-electricity-a-timeline/

Watts New. “Electric Motors History” Accessed May 17, 2017. http://www.lselectric.com/electric-motors-
are-almost-200-years-old/