Electric Generators
ð Electric generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
ð Note that electric motors do the opposite - they convert electrical energy to mechanical energy)
Some sources of the mechanical energy
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| Wind | Water |
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Basic Principle of Operation ð The magnetic field is essentially constant in the region shown ð Field lines are to the right (north to south) ð The rotatinug conductor (mechanical energy provided by a source such as those above) cuts the magnetic field lines ð According to Faraday's law, this creates an induced emf x = - NDFB/Dt ð The induced emf causes a current to flow |
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ð The right hand is held with the thumb, first finger and second finger mutually perpendicular to each other {at right angles}, as shown in the diagram .
ð The Thumb represents the direction of Motion of the conductor.
ð The First finger represents the direction of the Field. (north to south)
ð The Second finger represents the direction of the induced or generated Current (the direction of the induced current will be the direction of conventional current; from positive to negative).
ð One way to remember the rule is the "FBI" acronym for Force(or otherwise motion), B as the magnetic field sign and I as the current. Thumb = F, First finger = B, Second finger = I
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