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Electrical Machines Tutorial
Electrical Machines Tutorial
Electrical Machines are electromagnetic devices designed to convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy and vice-versa. Electrical machines are studied as a core subject in the electrical
engineering discipline. It is included in the syllabus of electrical engineering to understand the design,
principle, operation, and applications of various electrical machines like generators, motors,
transformers, etc. which are very important for electrical engineers.
Electrical machines are the fundamental components of modern engineering and industries. In the
domain of electrical engineering, it is very crucial to master the concepts of electrical machines
because they pave the path for power generation, operation of machinery, and energy conversion.
This tutorial on electrical machines is written at a somewhat basic level and is intended for those who
do not necessarilyPowered
have a by:
background in electrical engineering and electrical machines. Thus, it may
be used as an introductory resource on electrical machines for undergraduate college students as
well as a reference for practicing electrical engineers.
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What are Electrical Machine?
An electrical machine is an electromagnetic device that either converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy (electric motor) or converts mechanical energy into electrical energy (electric
generator).
A transformer is a special electrical machine that does not covert electrical energy into mechanical
energy and vice-versa, instead it transforms the voltage levels of electrical energy. The operations of
all electrical machines are based on the mutual interaction of electric and magnetic fields. Hence,
they are called electromagnetic machines.
Electrical machines can be classified into various types depending on their functions, supply used, for
example, induction motor, synchronous motor, transformer, dc motor, dc generator, alternator, etc.
Types of Electrical Machines
Electrical machines can be classified into various types. The detailed main types of electrical
machines is shown in the following figure.
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Outline of This Tutorial
The main objective of Electrical Machines is to provide an overview of the range of concepts of
electrical machines, and principle and applications of various electrical machines. The understanding
these concepts is very important to perform jobs related to electrical machine design, operation, and
maintenance.
This tutorial on "Electrical Machines" is divided into six modules −
The first module covers the basic concepts related to electrical machines that includes topics like
principle of −
Electromechanical Energy Conversion
Energy Stored in a Magnetic Field
Singly-Excited and Doubly Excited Systems
Rotating Electrical Machines
Faradays Laws of Electromagnetic Induction
Concept of Induced EMF
Flemings Left Hand and Right Hand Rules
The second module covers the theory of electrical transformer like −
Electrical Transformer
Construction of Transformer
EMF Equation of Transformer
Turns Ratio and Voltage Transformation Ratio
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Ideal and Practical Transformers
Transformer on DC
Losses in a Transformer
Efficiency of Transformer
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Three-Phase Transformer
Types of Transformers
The third module covers the concepts of DC machines such as −
Construction of DC Machines
Types of DC Machines
Working Principle of DC Generator
EMF Equation of DC Generator
Types of DC Generators
Working Principle of DC Motor
Back EMF in DC Motor
Types of DC Motors
Losses in DC Machines
Applications of DC Machines
The fourth module covers the concepts related to induction motors like −
Introduction to Induction Motor
Single-Phase Induction Motor
Three-Phase Induction Motor
Construction of Three-Phase Induction Motor
Three-Phase Induction Motor on Load
Characteristics of 3-Phase Induction Motor
Speed Regulation and Speed Control
Methods of Starting 3-Phase Induction Motors
The fifth module explains the synchronous machines including its −
Introduction to 3-Phase Synchronous Machines
Construction of Synchronous Machine
Working of 3-Phase Alternator
Armature Reaction in Synchronous Machines
Output Power of 3-Phase Alternator
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Losses and Efficiency
Working of 3-Phase Synchronous Motor
Equivalent Circuit and Power Factor of Synchronous Motor
Power Developed by Synchronous Motor
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The sixth module of this tutorial provides useful resources, a quick guide, and community discussion
platform on electrical machines.
Electrical Machines Quick Guide
Electrical Machines Resources
Electrical Machines Discussion
What does an Electrical Transformer Do?
An electrical transformer increases or decreases the voltage levels in an electrical power system. A
transformer that increases the voltage level (i.e., output voltage is greater than input voltage) is known
as a step-up transformer. A transformer that decreases the voltage level (i.e., output voltage is less
than input voltage) is known as a step-down transformer.
Working Principle of a Transformer
An electrical transformer works on the principle of mutual inductance. The principle of mutual
inductance states that when two electromagnetic coils are brought near to each other such the
magnetic field produced by one coil links with the other. If this linked magnetic field produced by first
coil changes, then it induces an EMF in the second coil. This principle is highlighted in the following
figure.
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Are transformers AC or DC?
Transformers are AC devices. An electrical transformer cannot operate on DC supply because
transformer requires changing magnetic flux for its operation which can be only produced by AC
supply.
Types of Electrical Motor
An electric motor is an electromechanical energy conversion device that converts electrical energy
into mechanical energy. Electric motors can be classified into various types as follows −
1. DC Motors
Those electric motors that convert direct current electricity into mechanical energy are known as DC
motors. DC motors are further classified into the following types −
DC Series Motor − A DC motor in which armature winding and magnetic field winding are
connected in series with each other is called a DC series motor.
DC Shunt Motor − A DC motor in which armature and field windings are connected in parallel
with each other is called a DC shunt motor.
DC Compound Motor − A DC compound motor is one which consists of both series and shunt
field winding is called a compound DC motor. There are two types of compound DC motors,
which are −
Cumulatively Compound DC Motor − When shunt and series fields assist each other, then
the motor is called a cumulatively compound dc motor.
Compound DC Motor − When the shunt and series fields oppose each other,
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Differentially
then the motor is called a differentially compound dc motor.
2. AC Motors
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Those electric motors that require alternating current supply to produce mechanical energy are called
AC motors. There are two main types of AC motors namely,
Induction Motor − An induction motor is a type of AC electric motor that operates on the
principle of continuous electromagnetic induction. Induction motors can be classified as single-
phase induction motors and three-phase induction motors.
Synchronous Motor − A synchronous motor is also a type of AC motor that operates on the
principle of magnetic locking, where the rotor is locked with the stators rotating magnetic field
and rotates at the synchronous speed (i.e., speed of rotating magnetic field).
Prerequisites to Understand Electrical Machines
As with most introductory electrical machine tutorial, the main prerequisites are a basic
understanding of physics and mathematics. However, it will definitely help if you are familiar with the
fundamental concepts of electric and magnetic circuits.
FAQs on Electrical Machines
We have collected here a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Electrical Machines, followed
by their answers.
What is the function of an electric motor?
The main function of an electric motor is to convert input electrical energy into rotational
mechanical energy and drive mechanical loads.
What is an electric generator?
An electric generator is an electromechanical energy conversion device that converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy. The output of an electric generator is electric
supply that can be either AC or DC, depending on the type of generator.
What is the function of a generator?
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The main function of a generator is to produce electricity. In other words, an electric
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generator performs the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.
How does a generator produce electricity?
An electric generator produces electricity through electromagnetic induction. A generator
consists of an armature winding and a rotating magnetic field winding. When the magnetic
field of rotating winding links to the armature winding (stationary), due to rotation, the
magnetic field linked to the armature winding changes
According to the principle of electromagnetic induction, an EMF is induced in the armature
winding. This induced EMF causes a potential difference at the ends of the armature
winding. This is how a generator produces electricity.
Do generators generate AC or DC?
It depends on the type of generator, i.e., a generator can generate AC as well as DC.
The generator that produces alternating current output is called an AC generator. The
generator that generates direct current electricity is called a DC generator.
What is the function of an alternator?
Alternator is nothing but an electric generator that produced alternating current electricity.
Therefore, the main function of an alternator is to produce AC electricity.
What is a synchronous machine?
A synchronous machine, either motor or generator, is a rotating electrical machine whose
rotor rotates Powered
at the same
by: speed as the rotating magnetic field do, i.e., synchronous speed.
If the machine is a generator, then it is called a synchronous generator. If the machine is a
motor, then it is referred to as a synchronous motor.
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What are synchronous and asynchronous machines?
Synchronous and asynchronous machines are the types of rotating electrical machines
used for electromechanical energy conversion.
A synchronous machine is one that operates at the synchronous speed (i.e., speed of the
rotating magnetic field), while an asynchronous machine is an electrical machine that can
never operate at the synchronous speed but always runs at a speed slightly lower than the
synchronous speed. Asynchronous machines are also known induction machines.
Why are asynchronous machines call induction motors?
An induction motor is said be an induction motor because it requires continuous
electromagnetic induction for its operation. If electromagnetic induction dies in the motor,
the motor stops instantly.
What is the principle of induction motor?
The working principle of induction motor is based on the principle of electromagnetic
induction and interaction of electric and magnetic field. According to these principles when
a rotating or changing magnetic field links to a conductor, an EMF is induced in the
conductor.
If the conductor is in a closed circuit, an electric current start flowing through it. Now, the
current carrying conductor is located in a magnetic field and experiences an
electromagnetic force and moves in a certain direction.
What is a rotating electric machine?
A rotating electrical machine is nothing but an electromechanical energy conversion device
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that consists of two parts namely, stator and rotor. It is called a rotating electrical machine
because its rotor is free to move or rotate on its own axis. Electric generators and motors
are known as the rotating electrical machines.
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What are the applications of an electrical transformer?
An electrical transformer is used for the following purposes −
To increase or decrease the voltage levels in power system.
To provide electrical isolation between two electric circuits.
To provide magnetic coupling between two electric circuit.
For measurement and protection purposes in high-voltage power networks.
What is singly excited motor?
A singly excited motor is a type of electric motor in which only a single coil is used to
produce magnetic field. Thus, a singly-excited motor consists of only one electrical input
and one mechanical output. A common example of singly-excited motor is an induction
motor.
What is a doubly excited motor?
A doubly-excited motor is a type of electric motor which consists of two separately excited
coils to produce magnetic fields. Hence, in a doubly-excited motor, there is two electrical
inputs and one mechanical output. A common example of doubly excited motor is a
synchronous motor.
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