Electrical degree

A time interval equal to 1/360 of the time required for one complete cycle of alternating
current. Mechanical rotation is often measured in degrees, 360 constituting one complete
revolution. In describing alternating voltages and currents, the time for one complete cycle is
considered to be equivalent to 360 electrical degrees (360) or 2&pgr; electrical radians. For
example, if the frequency f is 60 cycles per second (60 Hz), 360 corresponds to 1/60 second
and 1 electrical degree to 1/21,600 second.
There is a definite relationship between electrical and mechanical degrees in rotating electric
generators and motors. The illustration shows typical coil and angular relationships in a twopole alternator. As the magnetic field in the machine moves relative to the coils in the
armature winding, the coils are linked sequentially by the fluxes of north and south magnetic
poles; two flux reversals induce one cycle of voltage in a given coil. Thus, in a two-pole
machine 360 of electrical cycle corresponds to 360 of mechanical rotation, and an angle
measured in mechanical degrees has the same value in electrical degrees. However, in a
machine with more than two poles, one electrical cycle is generated per pair of poles per
revolution. For example, a six-pole machine generates three cycles of voltage in each
armature coil per revolution. In this case, each mechanical degree is equivalent to 3
electrical degrees. In general, the relationship

below is valid, where p is the number of magnetic poles of either the rotor or the stator. It
follows that the electrical angle between the centers of succeeding poles of opposite polarity
is always 180 electrical degrees.

Coil and angular relationships in a two-pole alternator

The concept of electrical degrees simplifies the analysis of multipolar machines by allowing
them to be analyzed on a two-pole basis. Furthermore, it permits trigonometry to be used in
solving alternating-current problems. See Alternating current, Electric rotating
machinery,Generator, Motor, Windings in electric machinery

Slip ring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sketch of a cross-section of slip rings for an electric motor. In this example, the slip rings have a
brush-lifting device and a sliding contact bar, allowing the slip-rings to be short-circuited when no
longer required. This can be used in starting a slip-ring induction motor, for example.
A slip ring is an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals from
a stationary to a rotating structure. A slip ring can be used in any electromechanical system that requires
unrestrained, intermittent or continuous rotation while transmitting power and / or data. It can improve
mechanical performance, simplify system operation and eliminate damage-prone wires dangling from
movable joints.
Also called rotary electrical interfaces, rotating electrical connectors, collectors, swivels, orelectrical
rotary joints, these rings are commonly found in slip ring motors, electrical generators foralternating
current (AC) systems and alternators and in packaging machinery, cable reels, and wind turbines. They can
be used on any rotating object to transfer power, control circuits, or analog or digital signals including data
such as those found on aerodrome beacons, rotating tanks, power shovels, radio telescopes or heliostats.
A slip ring (in electrical engineering terms) is a method of making an electrical connection through a rotating
assembly. Formally, it is an electric transmission device that allows energy flow between two electrical
rotating parts, such as in a motor.

Slip rings on a hydroelectricgenerator;

A - stationary spring-loaded graphite brushes,
B - rotating steel contact ring,
C - insulated connections to generator field winding,
D - top end of generator shaft.

Contents
[hide]

1 Composition

2 Alternate names and uses

3 References

4 External links

Composition[edit source | editbeta]

A slip ring is an electrical connector designed to carry current or signals from a stationary wire into a
rotating device. Typically, it consists of a stationary graphite or metal contact (brush) which rubs on the
outside diameter of a rotating metal ring. As the metal ring turns, the electrical current or signal is
conducted through the stationary brush to the metal ring making the connection. Additional ring/brush
assemblies are stacked along the rotating axis if more than one electrical circuit is needed. Either
the brushes or the rings are stationary and the other component rotates.[1][2] This simple design has been
used for decades as a rudimentary method of passing current into a rotating device.

Alternate names and uses[edit source | editbeta]

Some other names used for slipring are collector ring, rotary electrical contact and electrical slip ring. Some
people also use the term commutator, however commutators are somewhat different and are specialized
for use on DC motors and generators. While commutators are segmented, slip rings are continuous, and
the terms are not interchangeable. Rotary transformers are often used instead of slip rings in high speed or
low friction environments.[3]
A slip ring can be used within a rotary union to function concurrently with the device, commonly referred to
as a rotary joint. Slip rings do the same for electrical power and signal that rotary unions do for fluid media.
They are often integrated into rotary unions to send power and data to and from rotating machinery in
conjunction with the media that the rotary union provides.

[4]

Mercury-wetted slip rings, noted for their low resistance and stable connection use a different principle
which replaces the sliding brush contact with a pool of liquid metal molecularly bonded to the contacts.
During rotation the liquid metal maintains the electrical connection between the stationary and rotating
contacts. However, the use of mercury poses safety concerns, as it is a toxic substance. If a slip ring
application involves food manufacturing or processing, pharmaceutical equipment, or any other use where
contamination could be a serious threat, the choice should be precious metal contacts. Leakage of the
mercury and the resultant contamination could be extremely serious. The slip ring device is also limited by
temperature, as mercury solidifies at approximately -40 C.[5]
A pancake slip ring [6] has the conductors arranged on a flat disk as concentric rings centered on the
rotating shaft. This configuration has greater weight and volume for the same circuits, greater capacitance
and crosstalk, greater brush wear and more readily collects wear debris on its vertical axis. However, a
pancake offers reduced axial length for the number of circuits, and so may be appropriate in some
applications.
Slip rings are made in various sizes; one device made for theatrical stage lighting had 100 conductors.
[7]

The slip ring allows for unlimited rotations of the connected object, whereas a slack cable can only be

twisted a few times before it will fail.