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What is the name of the stationary conductor in an AC generator?

Published in AC Generator Parts 3 mins read


In many common types of AC generators, the stationary part that contains the conductors where the voltage is induced is known as the **stator**.

Understanding the components of an AC generator involves looking at its main parts: the rotor and the stator. These parts house the conductors and the magnetic field, and their relative motion is what generates electricity.

## Two Main Types of AC Generators

AC generators come in different configurations, primarily distinguished by which part rotates and which is stationary:

1.  **Rotating Field, Stationary Armature:** This is the most common configuration, especially for large power generators.
2.  **Rotating Armature, Stationary Field:** This configuration is often used in smaller generators.

Let's look at how the stationary conductor is named in these types.

### The Role of the Stator

In the **rotating field** type, the magnetic field is produced by coils on the rotor (which rotates), and this rotating field sweeps past the conductors housed in the **stator**. In this setup, the stator is the stationary part containing the armature conductors where the AC voltage is generated. Therefore, the **stator is the stationary conductor** in this common configuration.

In contrast, as described in sources like the provided reference, in a **rotating armature AC generator**, the setup is different. The reference states: "*In the rotating armature AC generator as illustrated in Figure 1, the stator provides a stationary electromagnetic field. The rotor, acting as the armature, rotates in the field, cutting the lines of force and producing the desired output voltage.*"

Here, the stator is still stationary, but its primary role is providing the stationary magnetic field. The conductors (armature) are on the rotor, which is the rotating part. Thus, in this specific rotating armature configuration, the voltage-producing conductors are *not* stationary; they are on the rotating rotor.

## Summary of Stationary Components

| Generator Type           | Stationary Part (Stator) Role                  | Location of Conductors     | Stationary Conductor?          |
| :----------------------- | :--------------------------------------------- | :------------------------- | :----------------------------- |
| **Rotating Field**       | Houses the armature conductors                 | **Stator**                 | **Yes (The Stator)**           |
| **Rotating Armature**    | Provides the stationary magnetic field         | Rotor (Rotating)           | No (Conductors are on Rotor) |

While the provided reference focuses on the rotating armature type where the stationary part (stator) provides the field, the term "stationary conductor" in the context of AC generators most commonly refers to the **stator** in the rotating field configuration, as this is where the main voltage-generating conductors are located and remain stationary.

Therefore, the name of the stationary conductor in a common AC generator type is the stator.