MEEN 301
DC AND AC MACHINERY
Assignment No. 1
Submitted by:
Carl James N. Rosales
Course Year & Section: BSME 3-1
Date Submitted: October 2, 2024
Submitted to:
ENGR. ARMINGOL MORALES
MEEN 301: DC AND AC MACHINERY
ASSIGNMENT NO.1 : DEFINITION AND TERMS
1. Definition of terms: Enumerate and define 30 terminologies related to DC and AC
Machinery
1. AC (Alternating Current): An electric current that reverses direction periodically,
commonly supplied by generators in single or three-phase forms.
2. DC (Direct Current): An electric current where electrons flow in a single direction,
typically sourced from batteries or rectifiers.
3. Armature: The rotating part of a DC motor or the stationary part of an AC motor, where
electromotive force is generated.
4. Commutator: A mechanical switch in a DC motor that reverses the current direction in
the armature windings, ensuring continuous rotation.
5. Torque: The rotational force produced by the motor, which is essential for driving
mechanical loads.
6. Stator: The stationary part of an electric motor that produces a magnetic field,
interacting with the armature to generate motion.
7. Rotor: The rotating component of an electric motor that delivers mechanical power.
8. Field Windings: Coils of wire in the stator that create a magnetic field when current
flows through them.
9. Induction Motor: An AC motor that operates on the principle of electromagnetic
induction, commonly used in industrial applications.
10. Synchronous Motor: A type of AC motor where the rotor rotates at a speed
synchronized with the frequency of the supply current.
11. Slip: The difference between synchronous speed and actual rotor speed in an induction
motor, expressed as a percentage of synchronous speed.
12. Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): An electronic device that controls the speed and
torque of an AC motor by varying the frequency and voltage of its power supply.
13. Inverter: A device that converts DC into AC, often used in applications requiring variable
frequency AC power.
14. Rectifier: A device that converts AC to DC using diodes or thyristors; essential for
supplying power to DC motors from AC sources.
15. Efficiency: The ratio of useful output power to input power, indicating how effectively a
machine converts energy from one form to another.
16. Demagnetization: A condition where high current pulses can cause permanent magnets
in a DC motor to lose their magnetism, affecting performance.
17. Ampere (Amp): The unit of electric current, defined as one coulomb per second flowing
through a conductor.
18. Voltage: The electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit; critical for
determining how much current will flow.
19. Current Rating: The maximum continuous current a motor can handle safely, usually
specified on the nameplate.
20. Ambient Temperature: The temperature surrounding electrical equipment, which
influences its performance and longevity.
21. Load Factor: A measure of how effectively electrical capacity is being utilized,
calculated as the ratio of average load to peak load over a specific period.
22. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): A technique used to control voltage and power by
varying the width of pulses in a signal, commonly used in motor drives for efficiency.
23. Coupling: A mechanical device that connects the motor shaft to the load it drives,
ensuring efficient power transfer.
24. Base Speed: The speed at which a motor operates at its rated horsepower under full
load conditions; important for understanding performance specifications.
25. Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD): A system that allows for varying the speed of an
electric motor through control methods like VFDs or PWM techniques.
26. Detent Torque: The torque present in a non-energized motor due to magnetic forces
acting on the rotor; relevant in stepper motors and similar devices.
27. Commutation (DC Motors): The process of reversing current direction in an armature
coil as it rotates past brushes, crucial for maintaining torque production.
28. Converter: A device or circuit that changes AC to DC or vice versa; essential for
adapting power supplies to specific applications.
29. Drive Controller: An electronic device that regulates motor operation by controlling
speed, torque, and direction based on input signals.
30. Capacitor: An electronic component used to store energy temporarily; it can influence
current behavior in AC circuits due to its reactive properties.
