Single-Phase AC

"Single-phase Alternating Current" is most often used in homes, small businesses and on farms. In large commercial buildings and industrial locations where larger Motors are used, single-phase power is not usually adequate.

The production of Single-phase Alternating Current is best described by thinking of the Generator as a simple Bar Magnet rotating inside a single coil-shaped loop of Wire. When the Magnet rotates, the "magnetic lines of force" cut through the coiled Wires. The strength of the field created depends on the number of these "lines" that are cut each second. At a constant speed, more "coils" of Wire will be cut per second as the loop approaches the one-fourth revolution point and the generated-voltage reaches a maximum at this point. As the north pole moves from the one-fourth revolution point to the one-half revolution point, fewer Wire Coils are being cut per second. The voltage decreases and goes to "zero" at the one-half revolution point where the Magnetic Field is parallel to the "coils" of Wire.

As the Magnet continues to rotate, the south pole's Magnetic Field cuts the coiled Wires in the opposite direction, producing an opposing voltage which again builds up to a maximum at the three-fourths revolution point. As the north pole moves from the three-fourths turn to one full revolution, the voltage then decreases to "zero."

One complete revolution of the Magnetic Field is called a "cycle." If there was only one "coil" of Wire in the outer portion of the Generator, this would be a "single-phase" device. By adding two additional "coils" of Wire to the Generator, we could then generate current in three individual "coils" (phases) or three-phase power.