Reversible alternator Experiment

Topics covered:

- Production of variable voltage

- Conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy

- Lenz's Law

- Magnetic flux

- Electromotive force

Principles and objectives:

To illustrate the principle of an alternating current generator or alternator by highlighting the laws of electromagnetism that govern its operation.

The design of the alternator meets educational objectives:

- Ease of understanding: the mechanism is fully visible thanks to the use of transparent materials and color codes. Thus, the effect of any action is visualized in real time: the rotation speed determines the frequency of the generated signal; the connection of a diode results in clipping.

- Learning through experience: "reversibility" is the best example to explain the concept of relative variation of the magnetic field compared to the conductor.

Comments:

According to the educational objective of the lab session, several other topics can be addressed:

- Conversion of mechanical energy into electrical and then light energy (with optional Power Indicator*)

- Alternating voltage: concepts of period, frequency, amplitude, etc.

- Instantaneous value and effective value of an alternating voltage (with optional TRMS Voltmeter sensor*)

- 1 Reversible demonstration alternator (ref 253081) - 1 Foxy 2 Console (ref 485000) - 1 A.S. Sup Software (ref 000131) Options: - 1 TRMS Voltmeter Sensor (ref 482035) - 1 Power Indicator (ref 282009)