Design and Implementation of an AC Power Generator using DC Motor

Abstract

Reliable and efficient supply of electricity is an unavoidable prerequisite to development of any nation since it is the major power source that drives most technologies. This paper describes the design and implementation of an AC power generator that generates electrical energy from an alternator using DC motor as the prime mover. The alternator armature shaft was coupled directly with DC motor, which was powered by high current rechargeable battery. The DC motor rotates the armature of the alternator in the field coil at high speed when powered. This result in two a.c output voltages of 12V and 220V from the alternator. The 12V output was feedback to recharge the battery by the means of a diode while the 220V output was used to drive any a.c load connected to the generator. The 12V output provides constant recharging of the battery as the DC motor consumes energy from the rechargeable battery. The system was also designed with control and display circuitries for automatic switching ON/OFF of the generator and to monitor the voltage output from the grid and generator to select the best output to the load respectively. It also incorporates a buzzer to give an alarm when fault is detected and to isolate the load.