What determines the frequency of the current produced by an A.C. generator??

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What determines the frequency of the current produced by an A.C. generator??

2006-11-20 14:07:13 · 2 answers · asked by shaun15_2000 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft

2 answers

The number of poles and the RPM of the rotor. The general formula is: poles/2 * rps (revolutions/second).

For a 6000 RPM generator, with 8 poles:

8/2 * (6000/60) = 4 * 100 = 400 Hz

2006-11-20 14:18:28 · answer #1 · answered by Aurelius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Essentially it is engine speed.

Typically small portable generators are two pole and will require an engine speed of 3600 RPM for 60Hz output.

Larger generators, usually diesel powered, 20kW and up will use four pole alternators and operate at 1800 RPM for 60Hz output.

2006-11-21 17:20:08 · answer #2 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋