Topic 9.

3.4.1 AC Motors

AC Motor Construction

An AC motor is structurally identical to a DC motor

except that it has a slip-ring commutator rather than the
split ring of a DC motor.
This is because the current in the coil changes
direction due to its AC nature and doesn't need to be
mechanically flipped.
This means that the rotation speed is harder to control
as it is related to the frequency of the AC supply.
It is common in AC motors to use electromagnets (field
coils) to create the stator field.

AC Motor Construction

Brush-less AC Motors

As AC electricity changes phase (direction) with a regular

frequency this can be used to set up a rotating magnetic
field around the rotor.
If the rotor is replaced with a magnet, then a brush-less
motor can be constructed.

Induction Motors

An induction motor consists of a

stator and a rotor.
The stator consists of a series of
wire coils wound on soft iron cores
that surround the rotor.

These are connected to the

external power supply in such a
way that they produce a
magnetic field whose polarity
rotates at constant speed in one
direction.

The rotor consists of coils wound on

a laminated iron armature mounted
on an axle.

Induction Motors

The rotor coils are not

connected to the external power
supply
An induction motor has neither
commutator nor brushes.
Instead eddy currents are
induced in the rotor coils by the
rotating magnetic field of the
stator.

Induction Motors

By Lenz's law the eddy currents

produce magnetic fields which
try to oppose the motion of the
rotor.
However in this case this results
in the rotor trying to keep up
with the stator field (so that
there is no relative motion) and
generating a torque.
The Shading ring disrupts the
magnetic field and allows the
motor to start spinning.

Induction Motors

The rotor coils are often simplified

to single copper or aluminium bars
capable of carrying a large
current, embedded in the surface
of the soft iron armature.
The bars are connected at the
ends by a ring or disc of copper
which allows current to flow in a
loop between opposite bars.
This physical arrangement is
referred to as a squirrel cage

even though it looks more like a

hamster wheel!

Energy Transfers in the Home and

Industry

There are many many examples of energy

transfers in the home.
Remember that no energy transfer in the real
world is ever 100% efficient

energy will always be wasted as thermal

energy (and light and sound) in each change.

Energy Transfers in the Home and

Industry

Good examples to give could

include:
Electrical Kinetic:
Electrical Thermal:
Electrical Light:

Electrical Chemical:
Electrical Sound:

any device with a motor such as a

washing machine.
any device that heats up such a
kettle or toaster.
anything that glows or gives off
light: lightbulb?
Battery re-chargers are good
examples.
The best example is speakers
(even though we know this goes
via kinetic energy)