Designing a 3 Phase AC Generator

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the design of a 3-phase AC generator, focusing on the mechanical and electrical specifications needed for its construction. Participants explore various aspects of the generator's design, including the rotor and stator configuration, winding requirements, and operational parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire for a simplified design approach using visual aids, indicating a need for assistance with the generator's specifications.
  • The required AC voltage output is specified as 380 V, with a phase voltage of 230 V, and the participant seeks guidance on achieving the desired AC ampere output.
  • Rotational speed of the rotor is mentioned as 3.5 m/s, with examples provided for calculating RPM based on rotor circumference.
  • Details about the rotor and stator configuration are discussed, with the rotor described as the outer part containing magnets and the stator as the shaft with the armature wound on it.
  • Questions are raised regarding the thickness and quantity of copper windings, the direction of windings relative to the magnets, and the layout of magnets in relation to the coils.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of considering the frequency of the generated AC before discussing speeds.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the design specifics, and multiple competing views regarding the generator's configuration and operational parameters remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for clarity on assumptions regarding the generator's operational frequency and the specific requirements for the winding and magnet layout, which have not been fully defined.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals involved in electrical engineering, mechanical design, or those seeking to understand the principles of AC generator construction.

Entrepreneur
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I intend designing a 3 phase AC generator. Thereafter I need to build it. Believing in "a picture tells a 1000 words", I am very much a "pictures" person, and as my studies in the electrical field were completed many moons ago, the formulas are now "forgotten" - so thus I want to approach this design project in the simplest of manners - with pictures etc.

I would very much appreciate your assistance in the design of this generator and even if you have the highest of college degrees it would still be appreciated if you could explain in layman's terms.

The information I have at hand is currently the following :

Required AC Voltage Output : 380 V (230V per phase)
Required AC Ampere Output : (as much as possible)
rotational speed of rotor : 3.5 m/s
(e.g. - if the circumference of the rotor is 400 mm then the rpm would be 525 r/m)
(e.g. - if the circumference of the rotor is 800 mm then the rpm would be 263 r/m)
The rotor is the "outside" of the generator (packed with magnets)
The stator is the shaft with the armature wound on it. (the shaft can be packed with an armature in length of 500 mm to 1000 mm - length of shaft)
This generator will be powered by a mechanical force which will run at 3.5 m/s (conveyor belt)

The information I require is the following :

Thickness of copper windings
Quantity of windings (3 phase - should I make 1 coil per phase or 3 coils per phase or more)
Direction of windings (in relation to the magnets)
layout of magnets (in relation to the coil)
circumference of the rotor (bigger or smaller)

Any other information which I need to consider.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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roller.jpg

The shaft (stator) is fixed and stationary - the roller (rotor) (yellow cylinder) is rotating.
The shaft needs to be wound armature-like and the magnets need to be fixed on the roller's inside.
roller.jpg
Magnets.png
(magnet layout)
 
Before you talk about speeds you need to think about frequency, what frequency do you want to generate?
 

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