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The Stator

The stator is the stationary part of the generator, consisting of insulated copper windings on a low-loss steel laminated core. The stator windings carry the current produced as a result of the generation process and are connected to the three phases (red, blue and yellow) of the station generator transformer.

  • Rotational Energy and Magnetic Flux

    There are two turbines (Gas and Steam) in Aghada that supply rotational energy to the Generator, and this energy drives the generator shaft. The rotor is magnetised by a direct current that passes via brushes onto slip-rings which are mounted on the rotor-shaft so that the rotor behaves as an electromagnet that provides a revolving DC magnetic field. While the shaft is rotating there is magnetic flux available which can be utilised to induce a current from conductor coils.

    An EMF (Electro-Magnetic Force) is induced from the three coils, which are held in fixed position within the steel laminated casing on the Stator. This is a very clear example of Faraday's Law in action.

    Electromagnets

    When we pass an electric current through a conductor it creates a temporary magnetic field around it, which lasts as long as the current is flowing. This was discovered in 1819 by a Danish scientist called Oersted. The current used to magnetise the rotor is direct current - called the excitation current. The rotor behaves as a magnet while this current is flowing.

    Magnetic Flux within the Generator at Aghada

    Magnetic Flux is a where the influence of a magnet on a conductor changes and the flux (change) may be due to the movement or rotation of the magnet or of the coil. In Aghada it is the electromagnet that is rotating within the rotor while the coil windings are in a fixed position on the stator.

    In Aghada the flux occurs due to an electromagnet being rotated within a set of three current conductor coils, and thus alternating current is induced from the three stationery coils positioned on the Stator. This current is sent in three phases (one phase from each coil on the Stator) to the Transformer.

    A conductor is a material that carries electrical current. For example, a wire that allows electricity to flow is a conductor.