Understanding Electrical Machines and Their Functions Electrical machines are devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy or vice versa. Two primary types of these machines include generators, which transform mechanical input into electrical output using the principle of electromagnetic induction, and motors, which use the magnetic effect of electric current to turn electrical input into mechanical work. Generators operate by inducing current in a coil moving within a magnetic field while motors generate rotational motion when an electrically charged wire is placed inside such fields.
Types and Principles Behind Generators and Motors Generators can be categorized as AC (producing alternating current) or DC (producing direct current), both converting mechanical energy to specific forms of electricity. Similarly, there are two main motor types: AC motors operating on alternating currents for generating movement; DC motors functioning with direct currents for similar purposes. This unit also covers synchronous generators alongside three distinct motor constructions—three-phase motor, single-phase motor, separately excited DC motor—and introduces rotating magnetic fields essential for understanding their operation.