gcsescience.com 20 gcsescience.com
Using a simple motor as a generator.
If a simple motor is turned to
produce electricity,
the split - ring
commutator will change the
current direction every half
turn.
Instead of generating alternating
current (previous
page)
the current is kept positive giving the output shown below.

Compare this with the output shown for direct current
and you will see that the two are different.
Direct current from a cell shows a
smooth unchanging output.
The output shown above is similar to direct
current
because the current only flows in
one direction.
It is similar to alternating current because
the current rises from zero to maximum and
back again.
This type of output can be made more like ordinary direct current
by using a capacitor to "smooth out the humps".
Headings Electromagnetism Induced Current Search Questions ![]()
gcsescience.com Contents Index Quizzes gcsescience.com
Copyright © 2008 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.