Alternator Synchronous Generator and its types!

Alternator as the name itself says, it is a machine that converts mechanical energy to AC
electric power at particular current and voltage. It is also called as synchronous generator.

Past of Alternator
Hippolyte Pixxi and Michale Faraday provided the first concept of alternator. They designed
a rectangular rotating conductor within a magnetic field for producing alternating current
in the outer static circuit. J.E.H. Gordon in the year 1886, designed and produced first
prototype of useful model. A model of 100 to 300 Hz synchronous generator was designed
by Kelvin and Sebastin Ferranti. In the year 1891, Nikola Tesla created a commercially
useful 15 Khz generator. Poly Phase alternators after this year came into picture which can
deliver multiple phase currents.

Alternator Uses
Modern Vehicles and electrical system power gives from alternator. In the olden days, DC
generators or dynamos were utilized for a reason after alternator development, more
robust and light weight alternators are used as a replacement for the DC dynamos. There is
a general requirement of motor vehicles with direct current and is still an alternator along
with rectifier diode rather than a DC generator with better choice as there is an absence of
complicated communication.

Diesel electric locomotive is also another use of alternator. Alternator driven by diesel
engine is the engine of the locomotive. DC is converted from AC produced by this
generator and thereby integrated into silicon diode rectifiers for feeding all the DC traction
motors. Similar to diesel electric locomotive it is used in marine. Designed with appropriate
adaptations the synchronous generator used in marine for facing the salt-water
environment. 12 or 24 volt is the output level of marine alternator. For providing large
power more than one units are used for large marine. The power generated in the marine
system by the alternator is first rectified by charging the engine battery starter and battery
supply is auxiliary for marine.
Types of Alternator
Synchronous or alternator generators can be divided in many ways relying on their
application and design. These machines are classified according to the following
applications-

1. Automotive Type- Modern Automobile uses it

2. Diesel electric locomotive type- Diesel electric multiple unit uses it.

3. Marine Type- Marine environment uses it.

4. Brush less type- Electric power generation plant as main source of power uses it.

5. Radio alternators- Low brand radio frequency transmission uses it.

The two main types of alternator classified according to their design are:

1) Salient Pole Type

Medium and low speed alternator is used over here. A large number of poles projection
have their cores dovetailed or bolted on a heavy magnetic wheel of iron cast or steel of
good quality magnet. Large diameters and short axial lengths are some of the
classifications of such generators. A big wheel like generator are mainly utilize for low
turbine speed like hydel power plant.

2) Smooth Cylindrical type

Steam turbine driven alternator uses this type. It has a high speed rotor generator. Smooth
solid forged cylinder is present is present in the rotor and is having lot of slots during
periods from the outer periphery for staying of field coils.

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