Author Topic: forgotten formula  (Read 2066 times)

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bob golding

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forgotten formula
« on: January 21, 2010, 12:13:49 PM »
hi all,

can someone remind me of the formula for determining the frequency of a axial flux alternator please. i have 9 coils 12 magnets connected in star. i used to have it pinned up on the wall, but i have tidied up since then and cant find it anymore.


cheers

bob

« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 12:13:49 PM by (unknown) »
if i cant fix it i can fix it so it cant be fixed.

Flux

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2010, 12:36:48 PM »
I remember that 2 pole 3000rpm is 50 Hz. 12 pole becomes 500 rpm for 50 Hz.


This is nice and easy to deal with as you just multiply the frequency by 10 to get rpm.


Flux

« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 12:36:48 PM by Flux »

ChrisOlson

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2010, 01:41:06 PM »
Frequency (In Hz) = (Number of Poles) x rpm/120.

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Chris
« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 01:41:06 PM by ChrisOlson »

ChrisOlson

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2010, 01:50:59 PM »
BTW - that formula works for not only axial flux - it's applicable to any AC generator of any design.

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Chris
« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 01:50:59 PM by ChrisOlson »

ghurd

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2010, 03:05:39 PM »
Does 'any' include asynchronous?

Don't generators generally make DC?

Picking nits.
« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 03:05:39 PM by ghurd »
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ChrisOlson

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2010, 03:31:42 PM »
Yes, it applies to an asynchronous generator if it's operating at or above synchronous speed and its field is excited so it acts as a generator instead of an induction motor.  The mains frequency and number of poles determine the synchronous speed of the generator, so the formula applies.


In engineering circles "alternators" generally refer to the small rotary AC generators used in automotive applications.  Otherwise anything that creates electricity is a generator, whether it be DC or AC.  That's why large diesel-driven AC units, for instance, are called "gensets" or generator sets, not "altersets" or alternator sets.


Many people refer to the AC generators used in wind turbines as "alternators", which is not incorrect - any AC generator can be called that if you wish, as the term is ambiguous when referring to AC generators.

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Chris

« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 03:31:42 PM by ChrisOlson »

Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2010, 06:31:27 PM »
And it's easier to understand and re-derive if you write it as:


Frequency (In Hz) = (Number of Poles / 2) x (RPM / 60)

« Last Edit: January 21, 2010, 06:31:27 PM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »

m8e

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Re: forgotten formula
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2010, 02:24:11 PM »
And to be even more general, a generator can be anything that thats "generates" anything. For example a tone generator or an random number generator.

(Six sided random number generator? :D)


Generators don't have to be electrical. :)

« Last Edit: January 22, 2010, 02:24:11 PM by m8e »