Unit 2: Constructional Armature
Winding
BY
Mr. Abhishek B. Katkar (B.E. (EE), M. Tech (Energy), ph.d
pursuing)
Lecturer, Electrical Engineering
Government Polytechnic, Kolhapur
Unit 2: Constructional Armature Winding
2.1 Introduction
• The armature winding is a crucial component of AC machines, responsible for generating or receiving
electrical power through electromagnetic induction.
• It consists of conductors arranged in a specific pattern on the armature core, forming coils that interact with the
machine’s magnetic field.
• In AC machines, armature windings are typically located on the stator in synchronous and induction machines,
and DC machines, they are on the rotor.
• The construction and arrangement of these windings significantly influence the machine's performance,
efficiency, and operational characteristics.
2.2 AC Machines Winding
• In AC machines, windings are essential for the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy (in
motors) or mechanical to electrical energy (in generators).
• The windings are usually placed on the stator — the stationary part of the machine — and are carefully
arranged to produce a rotating magnetic field when AC current flows through them.
AC windings are classified into two main types:
• Single-layer winding
• Double-layer winding
1. Single-layer winding: Each slot contains a single coil side. Often used in smaller machines or when cost is a major factor.
2. Double-layer winding: Each slot contains two coil sides — one at the top and one at the bottom. Common in larger machines for better
performance.
Feature Single-layer Winding Double-layer Winding
Definition Each slot contains a single coil side. Each slot contains two coil sides — one at the top and one at the
bottom.
Complexity of Construction Simple to design and construct. More complex due to double coil arrangement.
Winding Space Utilization Less efficient utilization of slot space. Better slot space utilization due to layered coils.
Cost Lower manufacturing cost. Higher manufacturing cost due to complexity.
Harmonic Reduction Less effective in reducing harmonics. Reduces harmonics more effectively due to distributed windings.
EMF Waveform Produces a less sinusoidal EMF waveform. Generates a more sinusoidal EMF waveform.
Slot Filling Simpler slot filling, suitable for small machines. More compact slot filling, ideal for large machines.
Application Used in small machines or when simplicity is Used in large machines requiring better performance and
preferred. efficiency.
Maintenance Easier to repair and maintain. Slightly harder to repair due to complex winding structure.
Flexibility in Coil Span Limited flexibility; full-pitch coils are common. Greater flexibility, allowing fractional pitch coils to reduce
harmonics.
Magnetic Field Distribution Less uniform magnetic field. More uniform magnetic field due to better coil distribution.
Current Distribution Higher current concentration per slot. Better current distribution over slots.
key terms related to AC windings step by step, with mathematical representations where applicable:
1. Coil:
A coil consists of a set of conductors wound in a loop, and in AC machines, these coils are placed in slots on
the stator.
Each coil has two sides: the starting side (where current enters) and the ending side (where current exits).
2. Pole Pitch: Pole pitch is the distance between the centers of two adjacent poles.
It is usually measured in terms of slots and is given by:
3. Coil Span (or Pitch):
Coil span (or coil pitch) is the distance between the two sides of a
coil, measured in terms of slots.
Full pitch: If the coil sides are placed one pole pitch apart, the coil
span is equal to the pole pitch. (fig 1.19)
Fractional pitch: When the coil sides span less than a pole pitch, it is
called a short-pitched or chorded coil. The coil span factor reduces
harmonics in the output waveform. (fig 1.20)
1. Pitch Factor (Kp) Derivation:
