Sanskrithi School of Engineering

(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapur & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)

Puttaparthi-515 134.

DC Generators
DC Generator Working Principle
Generator is a machine which produces EMF dynamically from a mechanical input. In other
words it is a machine which converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.DC Generatoris
nothing but which gives DC output voltage. Working principle DC generator is very simple.

Faraday's Laws
DC generator works on the principle of faraday's laws. It states that, Whenever conductors cuts
the magnetic flux () EMF induces, the amount of EMF is directly proportional to rate of change
of flux linkages.
E=-d/dt
[-ve sign given by lenz's law]
The above equation of faraday's law is the fundamental working principle of generator,
Synchronous generator..etc. A DC generator produces direct power, AC generator produces
alternating power.
To get better idea on working of generator you need to know about simple loop generator.Let
us consider a simple loop DC generator as shown in the figure with one turn coil and one pair of
magnet to produce magnetic flux.

So to get rate of change in flux () linkages either conductors or magnetic field should be
in motion. So for our convenience assume magnets are stationary and coil is rotating with the
help of any mechanical input. now consider the arrangement as below without any input it is in
stationary position.
ABCD is the rectangular loop of conductor[coil] which is placed in magnetic field.
working of simple loop generator can be explained in 3 steps,

Sanskrithi School of Engineering

(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapur & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)

Puttaparthi-515 134.

Note: Current & Voltages have same direction because voltage is cause of current. we cant find
direction of voltage simply by applying any rule so we
take current direction as reference in DC generator
working

Step-1
Rotate the coil ABCD in the clockwise direction with
help of mechanical input say prime-mover, and it is
moved to right angled position,

As during this movement AB and CD sides of the coil cut the flux lines there will be an EMF
induced in these both of the sides (AB & BC) of the loop by faraday's law, Maximum flux is
linked in this position because AB and CD are parallel to magnetic field direction. Field strength
at AB & CD is not same so do exist. As the closed path exists in the coil current flows in the coil.
Current direction can be found by Flemings right hand rule.

By Flemings right hand rule current flow we find current

direction as from A to B ,C to D.

Step-2
Now coil is rotated to next right angled position, AB and CD
are perpendicular to magnetic filed direction. Magnetic field
strength at AB & CD are same. So difference between the
field strength is zero i.e., d almost zero. hence induced emf,
current also zero.

Step-3
Now coil is rotated to next right angled position, AB and CD

Sanskrithi School of Engineering

(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapur & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)

Puttaparthi-515 134.

are parallel to magnetic filed direction. So maximum amount of EMF will induce [Like Step1].But the current direction reverses. By Flemings right hand rule current flow from B to A, D
to C.
This is the working principle of any generator, but from step-1 & step-2 we can observe that,
current getting reversed that we don't want in DC generator to eliminate alternating current we
use commutator. Commutator is an arrangement which converts AC to DC, in this way DC
generator works produces DC voltages. In practical DC generator there will no. of conducts and
poles [magnets] to produce required amount of EMF.

DC generator working with Commutator

After completion of half rotation, the
direction of current in the particular
conductor will be reversed. Hence, the

direction of current in every armature conductor will

be alternating after a half rotation. With a split ring
commutator, connections of the armature conductors
also gets reversed when the current reversal occurs.
And therefore, we get unidirectional current at the
terminals.