Electric Motors and Generators

Electromagnetism is a branch of physical science that describes the interactions of electricity and magnetism, both
as separate phenomena and as a singular electromagnetic force. Some of the practical applications of
electromagnetism are motors and generators. The electric motor and generator are differentiated on various
factors like the main working principle and its function. Electric motor and generator are almost similar from the
construction point of view, as both have stator and rotor. While motors use electricity, generators produce electricity.
In electromagnetism, magnetic fields can be used to generate electric fields, or vice-versa. Electric motor and
generator are common electromagnetic devices which contain electromagnets. This electromagnet or solenoid plays
an important role in the operation principle of electric motor.

What is an electric motor?

An electric motor is a device used to convert electricity into mechanical energy. They operate using the principle of
electromagnetism, which shows that a force is applied when an electric current is present in a magnetic field. Motors
are used in a wide range of applications, such as fans, power tools, appliances, electric vehicles, and hybrid cars.
A simple motor has the following parts: power supply (battery), stator (magnet), rotor, commutator, and
brushes. Every electric motor has two essential parts: one stationary, and one that rotates. The stationary part is the
stator. The stator is most often a permanent magnet. Inserted into the stator is the rotating part called rotor, usually
consisting of copper wire wound into a coil around an axle. An electric motor has another important component, the
commutator, which sits at one end of the coil. It is a metal ring divided into two halves. The brushes connect the
power supply to the commutator. Brushes send out electrical current to the commutator that is attached to the rotor.

Figure 2. A simple electric motor.

How does a simple electric motor operate?

Operation Principle of Electric Motor

The motor operates because of the electromagnet loop that is connected to a commutator. When current flows
through, the electromagnet turns or rotates. The turning of the electromagnet is due to force (torque).
Notice that in Figure 1, the electromagnet is located between the north and south poles of two permanent magnets. When
current flows through the electromagnet, magnetic fields are generated, and forces are produced. This causes the
electromagnet to continue to turn. These events keep repeating, so the electromagnet rotates continuously.

VOCABULARY…
 Electromagnet – magnet whose magnetic properties are produced by electric current.
 Magnetic field – region of magnetic influence around the magnetic poles and moving charged particles.
 Permanent magnet – object that has the magnetic ability to attract objects made of iron or other magnetic
substance.
 Torque – the measure of force that cause an object to rotate about an axis.
What is an electric generator?
Generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It works based on principle of
Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. This principle states that a magnetic field induces electric charge
movement producing electric current. Generators also produce the electrical power required for power stations,
aircraft, ships, and trains.
A simple generator consists of the following parts: stator (permanent magnet), rotor, commutator, brushes and
shaft. Each has similar functions as that of a motor. Except that in generator, mechanical force is applied to the shaft
which is attached to the rotor. The rotor rotates and current is produced in the armature windings. Here, electric
current is collected by the brushes that lights up the bulb.

How does a generator operate?

Generator works depend on electromagnetic induction. According to Michael Faraday’s law, electromagnetic
induction is a process of producing electric current with a changing magnetic field. It occurs whenever a magnetic
field and an electromagnet move relative to one another.

Figure 2. Illustration of the process of electromagnetic induction in a generator . Figure 3. Sample of a hand-cranked generator.

As the magnet moves in and out the conductor coil whereby breaking the magnetic field lines induces an electric
current. Such current may be seen on the deflection of the galvanometer’s needle.
When the coil rotates, it cuts the magnetic field which lies between the two poles of the magnet. The magnetic field
will interfere with the electrons in the conductor to induce a flow of electric current inside it.
This picture shows a sample of a hand-cranked generator.
The crank turns inside the generator and it spins the coil of wire relative to a magnet. This movement causes a
changing magnetic field, which induces current in the wires. As an effect, there is current flowing through a coil inside
which lights the bulb.
Fleming’s Hand Rules for Electric Motor and Generator
John Ambrose Fleming introduced two rules to determine the direction of motion in motors and the direction of
induced current in generators. The rules are called as Fleming's Left Hand Rule (for motors) and Fleming's Right
Hand Rule (for generators). These rules will help us understand the interaction between electricity and
magnetism.