EET 251

Electricity and Electronics

 

 

Lesson Five

 

 

SOURCES OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

 

                               

            Electrical energy sources convert some other form of energy into electrical energy. Batteries and electrical generators are two major sources of electrical energy. Batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Electrical generators rely on the principle of electromagnetic induction to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The types of electrical generators include single-phase ac generators, three-phase ac generators, and dc generators. Batteries, generators, and other sources of electrical energy are discussed in this lesson.

 

5.1 Chemical Sources

Chemical cells

Electrolyte

Primary cells:  operation principles; electrodes; ions; dry cell; types of primary cells used today (ex: carbon-zinc cell)

Secondary cells: principle and common types

            (1) Lead-acid cells: construction, chemical process, specific gravity test to measure amount of charge, hydrometer to test electrolyte solution.

            (2) Nickel-cadmium cells: construction, common use

            (3) Nickel-metal-hybride cell: construction, use and advantages

 

5.2 Battery Connections

Series connection

Parallel connection

Combination (series-parallel) connection

 

5.3 Light Sources

Photovoltaic or solar cells

 

5.4 Heat sources

            Seebeck effect

            thermocouples

           

5.5 Pressure sources

Piezoelectric effect: change of mechanical pressure into electrical energy

Pressure-sensitive crystals

Applications of the piezoelectric principle (ex: vinyl recording sound systems)

 

5.6 Electromagnetic Induction

Principles of electromagnetic induction

Cycle

Frequency

 

5.7  Generating a VoltageAmount of voltage induced into a conductor cutting across a magnetic field depends on:

(1) speed of the relative motion between the magnetic field and the conductor

(2) strength of the magnetic field

(3) length of the conductor

 

5.8  Electrical Generator Basics

Parts of the generator: stator and rotor; prime mover, slip ring or commutator and brush assembly.

 

5.9 Single-Phase AC Generators

Sine-wave voltage

Methods to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy: rotating-armature and rotating-field

 

5.10 Three-Phase AC Generators

Methods to connect alternator output windings: wye and delta connection

Use of three-phase power

 

5.11 Direct-Current Generators

Uses of direct current

Construction and operation of the generator

Types of generators:

            (1) Permanent magnet dc generators

            (2) Separately excited dc generators

            (3) Self-excited generators: series-wound dc generators, shunt-wound dc generators, compound-wound dc generators

Generator operating characteristics:

            (1) armature reaction

            (2) neutral plane

            (3) running neutral plane

            (4) interpoles

            (5) voltage regulation

 

 

 

REVIEW

1.List eight sources of electrical energy.

2. What are the two types of electrical current produced by energy sources called?

3. What are two classifications of chemical cells, and hos are they different?

4. Discuss the operation of a carbon-zinc cell.

5. Discuss the operation of a lead-acid cell.

6. How do nickel-cadmium cells differ from carbon-zinc cells?

7. How is light energy used to produce electrical energy?

8. How is heat energy used to produce electrical energy?

9. How is pressure used to produce electrical energy?

10. Discuss electromagnetic induction.

11. What three factors determine the amount of voltage induced into a conductor inside a magnetic field?

12. What are the differences between slip rings and a commutator used for electrical generators?

13. What is a sine wave?

14. If the maximum voltage of a generator is 50 V and the angle of rotation is 240 degrees, what is the instantaneous voltage?

15. If the speed of ratation of a four-pole generator is 1800 rpm, what is its ouptu frequency?

16. What are the two methods used to produce voltage ouptput in generators, and how do they differ?

17. Discuss the two types of three-phase connections used for stator windings in three-phase generators.

18. Discuss the construction of a dc generator.

19. What are the types of dc generators?

20. Discuss armature reaction.

21. If a generator has a no-load voltage output of 100V and a full-load voltage output of 90 V, what is its voltage regulation percentage?

22. If a generator has a power output of 2000W and a power input of 3 hp, what if its efficiency?