Abu Tahir (594398) Engineering Level 3 Extended Diploma

Unit 6 Electrical Principles Unit Code

20786C
Task 2 (This provides evidence for P9)

(a)Produce a labelled diagram of an AC generator.

(b)Explain how an AC generator functions make reference to Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws to the
operating characteristics of the generator.

The AC generator operates by the turning of a coil in a magnetic field produces motional EMF’s in
both sides of the coil which ass. Since the components of the velocity perpendicular to the magnetic
field changes sinusoidal with the rotation, the generated voltage is sinusoidal or AC. This process can
be described in terms of Faraday’s law when you see that the rotation of the coil continually changes
the magnetic flux through the coil and therefore generates a voltage.

The aspects that affect the amount of the induced EMF are how fast the magnetic field is changing
and the number of turns of the conductor in the field. Faradays law states that the EMF that is
induced is equal to the rate of change of magnetic flux linkage. The formula for this is:

E = NΔBA/t = N (Δ⌽)/Δt

Where:

E= Blv

B= Magnetic Flux density (t)

l = Length of the conductor cutting the field (m)

v = Speed at which he conductor cuts the field (m/s)

Abu Tahir (594398) Engineering Level 3 Extended Diploma

Faraday’s Law

The Faraday’s law means that the more magnetic force or more velocity can produce more EMF
(voltage) from the generator, the induced EMF in a coil is equal to the negative of the rate of change
of magnetic flux times the number of turns in the coil. It involves the contact of charge with the
magnetic field.

Lenz’s Law

Lenz’s law states that an electric current induced by changing the magnetic field will flow in a way
where it will create its own magnetic field which will oppose the magnetic field that created it. Lenz’s
law also states that the more current you generate the greater the force that’s opposing is.

(c)Produce a drawing showing the output from the generator. How can the magnitude (Voltage)
and frequency of the AC from the generator be varied?