Motors and Generators

Electromagnets Magnet Poles Parts of a Basic DC Motor Electric Generators From the Power Plant to Your Home

Motors and Generators Small DC Motor Generator in a Hydro Plant Geothermal Generator Image courtesy of DOE / NREL Electric Turbine Generator

Electromagnets N S Electromagnet ends change between north and south depending on the direction of the current. S N

Magnet Poles N S Remember that opposite poles attract and like poles repel. If you alternate the middle magnet’s poles, it will continue to spin. N S N S N S This is how motors can turn!

Parts of a Basic DC Motor N S N S DC Source Armature Commutator Brush Commutator Brush Motor: A device used to convert electric energy into mechanical energy. Permanent Magnet Permanent Magnet

Parts of a Small DC Motor Armature Commutator Permanent Magnets Brushes Wire Connections

Electric Generators N S N S Mechanical motion turns the armature which creates current. Many DC motors can function as a generator. Generator: A device used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

From the Power Plant to Your Home Power plants generate electricity. Image courtesy of Sacramento Municipal Utility District

From the Power Plant to Your Home Step up transformers increase voltage for transmission across large towers. Increased voltage increases efficiency.

From the Power Plant to Your Home Large towers transmit electricity over long distances. Images courtesy of DOE / NREL

From the Power Plant to Your Home Step down transformers reduce voltage at substations to acceptable levels for the end user.

From the Power Plant to Your Home Electricity arrives at your home at a junction box. Usage is measured with a meter.

Step One: Wrap the Coil 1) Sand the top half of the contact on one side 2) Sand all the way around the contact on the other side Contact Coil Contact 1)Cut a 3ft section of Magnet wire 2)Start coiling the wire 3” from the end of end of the wire. Wrap the wire around a 1”diameter dowel rod until a 3” length remains. 3)Carefully hold the coil together and pull it off of the dowel rod. Wrap the coil with the 3” lengths you had left at the beginning and end of your coil. Step Two: Sand the Contacts Preparing Your Armature

Motors and Generators Electromagnets Magnet Poles Parts of a Basic DC Motor Electric Generators From the Power Plant to Your Home

Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2008). Photographic information eXchange. Retrieved November 5, 2008, from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). (2008). Power plant [Image]. Sacramento: Sacramento Municipal Utility District.