1.

AC MACHINES

AC machines are motors that convert AC electric energy to mechanical energy

and generators that convert mechanical energy to ac electric energy. The two major
classes of ac machines are synchronous and induction machines. The field current of
synchronous machines (motors and generators) is supplied by a separate dc power
source while the field current of induction machines is supplied by magnetic induction
(transformer action) into the field windings.

2. AC MOTOR

2.1 An AC motor, like any electric motor, converts electrical energy to

mechanical energy. AC motors take as their input an AC current, but differ from dc
motors in that there is no commutation involved, and can be single or multi-phase.

2.2. Working Principle

Motors work through the principles of electromagnetism. If you run electricity

through a wire, it creates a magnetic field. If you coil the wire around a rod and run
electricity through the wire, it creates a magnetic field around the rod. The two main
types of AC motors are induction motors and synchronous motors. The induction motor
(or asynchronous motor) always relies on a small difference in speed between the stator
rotating magnetic field and the rotor shaft speed called slip to induce rotor current in the
rotor AC winding. As a result, the induction motor cannot produce torque near
synchronous speed where induction (or slip) is irrelevant or ceases to exist. In contrast,
the synchronous motor does not rely on slip-induction for operation and uses either
permanent magnets, salient poles (having projecting magnetic poles), or an
independently excited rotor winding. The synchronous motor produces its rated torque
at exactly synchronous speed. The brushless wound-rotor doubly fed synchronous
motor system has an independently excited rotor winding that does not rely on the
principles of slip-induction of current. The brushless wound-rotor doubly fed motor is a
synchronous motor that can function exactly at the supply frequency or sub to super
multiple of the supply frequency.

Other types of motors include eddy current motors, and AC and DC

mechanically commutated machines in which speed is dependent on voltage and
winding connection.

2.3 Major and Minor Parts of AC Motors

 The Stator
 The Rotor

 The Commutator

 Brushes and Terminals

2.4 Function/Purpose of each Components

 The Stator
Every electric motor has two essential parts: one stationary, and one
that rotates. The stationary part is the stator. Though configurations
vary, the stator is most often a permanent magnet or row of magnets
lining the edge of the motor casing, which is usually a round plastic
drum.

 The Rotor
Inserted into the stator is the rotor, usually consisting of copper wire
wound into a coil around an axle. When electric current flows through
the coil, the resulting magnetic field pushes against the field created
by the stator, and makes the axle spin.

 The Commutator
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. It reverses the electrical current in the coil each time the coil
rotates half a turn. The commutator periodically reverses the current
between the rotor and the external circuit, or the battery. This ensures
that the ends of coils do not move in opposite directions, and ensures
that the axle spins in one direction.

 Brushes and Terminals

At one end of the motor are the brushes and the terminals. They are
at the opposite end from where the rotor exits the motor casing. The
brushes send electrical current to the commutator and are typically
made of graphite. The terminals are the locations where the battery
attaches to the motor and sends the current to spin the rotor.