Windings in electric machinery

Windings in electric machinery

Windings can be classified in two groups: armature windings and field windings. The armature winding is the main current-carrying winding in which the electromotive force (emf) or counter-emf of rotation is induced. The current in the armature winding is known as the armature current. The field winding produces the magnetic field in the machine. The current in the field winding is known as the field or exciting current. See Electric rotating machinery, Generator, Motor

The location of the winding depends upon the type of machine. The armature windings of dc motors and generators are located on the rotor, since they must operate in conjunction with the commutator, and the field windings are mounted on stator field poles. See Direct-current generator, Direct-current motor

Alternating-current synchronous motors and generators are normally constructed with the armature winding on the stator and the field winding on the rotor. There is no clear distinction between the armature and field windings of ac induction motors or generators. One winding may carry the main current of the machine and also establish the magnetic field. It is customary to use the terms stator winding and rotor winding to identify induction motor windings. The word armature, when used with induction motors, applies to the winding connected to the power source (usually the stator). See Alternating-current generator, Alternating-current motor, Synchronous motor