Good Book for Learning about Motors/Generators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for books on AC/DC motors and generators, with a focus on both theoretical understanding and practical applications. Participants share their preferences for resources that provide detailed insights into the construction and operation of these devices, rather than just an overview of the physics involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Practical application

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, a junior in electrical engineering, seeks book recommendations that cover the construction of motors and generators in detail, preferring resources that are not textbooks and are budget-friendly.
  • Another participant suggests historical resources, including US Navy courses from the 1960s and old Audel's books from the 1930s to 1960s, noting their practical value.
  • A specific book titled "Electrical Maintenance" published by General Electric during WWII is mentioned as a valuable resource for practical advice on motor maintenance.
  • A suggestion is made to dismantle various types of motors from junkyards to gain hands-on experience, with examples of different motor types provided.
  • A participant shares their enjoyment of a 1901 edition of "Dynamo Electric Machinery," highlighting its historical context and the evolution of electrical machinery concepts.
  • For theoretical understanding, a recommendation is made for "Electrical Machinery and Transformers" by Guru/Hiziroglu, while "Electric Motor Repair" by Rosenberg/Hand is suggested for its practical insights beyond just motor repair.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of preferences for different types of books, with no consensus on a single recommended resource. Multiple viewpoints on the value of historical texts versus modern practical guides are present.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations are based on personal experiences and may vary in relevance depending on the reader's specific interests and needs in learning about motors and generators.

Driggers
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I'm a junior in electrical engineering so I have a good knowledge of the physics of electromagnetism. However, I do not take my electric power and machines class for another two semesters and am interested in learning about AC/DC motors and generators in my spare time. Can anyone recommend any good books?

I want the book to go into fair detail on the construction of these devices, not just an overview of the physics. But I'm not looking for a textbook really, just something in the $50 range.

Thank you.
 
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I'd say the best practical training was the US Navy courses from 1960's.
Take a look here
https://archive.org/details/NEETSModule05

If you can find any old Audel's books on motors from 1930's to 1960's in a used book store , they are great.
General Electric inWW2 published a book called "Electrical Maintenance" that is chock full of practical advice, like how to find open rotor bars, proper lubrication, ,, it'll be a difficult find but a lifelong resource.

lastly i'd advise go to a junkyard and get a few motors, take them apart.
Starter motors are series wound DC machine, as are many heater blower motors
Generators are shunt wound
electric window motors are permanent magnet type
older Ford windshield wiper motors are a three brush DC machine, as were car generators before invention of the electromechanical voltage regulator mid-1930's. Third brush excites the field, giving closed loop control. Newer ones are permanent magnet.

your humble car alternator is a three phase wound rotor synchronous machine.
 
Last edited:
PS

I have a 1901 edition of this book, which is a delight. I've mentioned it before on PF.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dyn...hillips-thompson/1100929181?ean=9781407686394

Back then they were still experimenting with physical configurations, and interpoles were a new idea.
It's somewhat wordy but interesting perspective on from whence we came. He speaks of Tesla and Steinmetz in present tense... It'd be a real novelty in a modern machinery course...

The 1886 version is available as well, but his preface to 1901 says he added a LOT of information. A lot of progress happened in those 15 years. I've not seen the earlier one , don't know if it would be as good on 3-phase.



old jim
 
Thank you very much, I appreciate the response.
 
For theory, I suggest Electrical Machinery and Transformers, by Guru/Hiziroglu
For practicality, I suggest Electric Motor Repair, by Rosenberg/Hand <---- Not just a motor repair book. Has a lot of excellent information in it. It opens twice inside, one half shows illustrations while the other, the text. By far my favorite electric motor book
 

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