Question

Explain the construction of an alternator with the help of a neat sketch

Answer 1

Construction wise, an alternator consists of field poles placed on the rotating fixture of the machine i.e. rotor as shown in the figure above. The rotor rotates in the stator. The field poles get projected on the rotor body. The armature conductors are housed on the stator. An alternating three-phase voltage represented by aa’, bb’, cc’ is induced in the armature conductors thus resulting in the generation of three-phase electrical power. All modern electrical power generating stations use this technology for generation of three-phase power, and as a result, the alternator or synchronous generator has become a subject of great importance and interest for power engineers.