Funda
Generation of Alternating Electromotive Force
Priority Definitions
Induced electromotive force (emf): Voltage created in a coil through changing magnetic flux according to Faraday's law.
Generated emf: Voltage generated by physical motion of the coil or magnet within a magnetic field.
Frequency (f): The number of cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz) with 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.
Period (T): The time required for one complete cycle of an alternating current.
Wavelength (λ): The distance travelled by a wave in one cycle, calculated as λ = v/f.
Formulas
Induced emf: [ e = N \left( \frac{d\phi}{dt} \right) \times 10^{-8} \text{ volts} ]
N: number of turns in the coil
dϕ/dt: rate at which flux changes through the coil in maxwells
Generated emf:[ e = B(l)(v) \times 10^{-8} \text{ volts} ]
B: flux density (lines per square inch)
l: length of the wire (inches)
v: velocity of the wire (inches per second)
AC Generator Structure
Two-pole single AC generator illustrated with a coil moving through the magnetic field created by poles N and S.
Clockwise rotation:
One side of the coil moves downward, cutting maximum flux under N.
Opposite side moves upward, cutting maximum flux under S.
After 90° rotation: No flux cut, hence no voltage.
As rotation continues, the other side of the coil will begin to cut the maximum flux under the opposite pole.
Key Points During Coil Rotation
Voltage changes with each instant.
Electrical polarity alternates (+ and -) depending on the position under N and S poles.
Example Calculation of Average Induced Voltage
Given a coil of 300 turns with flux changing from 250,000 to 20,000 maxwells in 0.15 seconds:
Sine Wave Voltage Generation
Voltage in a generator is alternating where:
Magnitude varies from instant to instant as flux values change.
Direction changes due to coil side positions under north and south poles.
Maximum voltage and diminishing voltage illustrated in sine wave forms.
General induced voltage formula:
[ V = Em \sin( \theta ) ]
Frequency and Time Relationship
Frequency (f) = number of cycles per second; unit: Hertz (Hz)
1 Hz = 1 cycle per second.
Period (T) = time required for one cycle; f = 1/T.
Example: 60 revolutions in 1 second = 60 Hz.
Period calculation given frequency.
Frequency, Time, and Wavelength Relationships
Wavelength (λ) is the distance travelled by a wave in one cycle: [ \lambda = \frac{v}{f} \text{ (where } v = \text{ wave velocity, } f = \text{ frequency)} ]
Radio waves travel at the speed of light; sound waves velocity is lower.
AC Generator Basics
An alternator is described as an AC generator with cycles of voltage variations for each rotation.
Relationship between revolutions per second and frequency: [ f = \left( \frac{P}{2} \right) \times \text{ (revolutions per second)} ]
Electrical degrees representation for cycles (360° = one cycle).
Angular Velocity and Sinusoidal Functions
Voltage in a resistor, inductor, and capacitor behaves based on sinusoidal functions.
Current is dependent upon the emf and time, with the wave functions represented using sine and cosine functions.
Circuit Types in AC
Basic types of circuits: R (Resistor), L (Inductor), C (Capacitor).
Behavior in AC circuits:
Pure resistor: conducts as in DC circuits; current and voltage phase are equivalent.
Pure inductor: current lags voltage by 90°.
Pure capacitor: current leads voltage by 90°.
Example Problems and Calculations
Various scenarios discussing the relationships between voltage, current, and their phase differences in different circuits (R-L, R-C, R-L-C circuits) are provided with indications of how to calculate current, maximum power, voltage qualities, etc.
Complex circuit interactions are summarized, along with example problems for further practice.