Electrical degree
A time interval equal to 1/360 of the time required for one complete cycle of alternating current. Mechanical rotation is often measured in degrees, 360° constituting one complete revolution. In describing alternating voltages and currents, the time for one complete cycle is considered to be equivalent to 360 electrical degrees (360°) or 2&pgr; electrical radians. For example, if the frequency f is 60 cycles per second (60 Hz), 360° corresponds to 1/60 second and 1 electrical degree to 1/21,600 second.
There is a definite relationship between electrical and mechanical degrees in rotating electric generators and motors. The illustration shows typical coil and angular relationships in a two-pole alternator. As the magnetic field in the machine moves relative to the coils in the armature winding, the coils are linked sequentially by the fluxes of north and south magnetic poles; two flux reversals induce one cycle of voltage in a given coil. Thus, in a two-pole machine 360° of electrical cycle corresponds to 360° of mechanical rotation, and an angle measured in mechanical degrees has the same value in electrical degrees. However, in a machine with more than two poles, one electrical cycle is generated per pair of poles per revolution. For example, a six-pole machine generates three cycles of voltage in each armature coil per revolution. In this case, each mechanical degree is equivalent to 3 electrical degrees. In general, the relationship
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The concept of electrical degrees simplifies the analysis of multipolar machines by allowing them to be analyzed on a two-pole basis. Furthermore, it permits trigonometry to be used in solving alternating-current problems. See Alternating current, Electric rotating machinery, Generator, Motor, Windings in electric machinery
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