REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

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PAIX – TRAVAIL – PATRIE PEACE – WORK – FATHERLAND
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UNIVERSITE DE DOUALA UNIVERSITY OF DOUALA
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FACULTE DES SCIENCES FACULTY OF SCIENCES
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TITLE : ALTERNATOR

NAMES OF AUTORS
➢ KIKAAG GHISLAIN BRUNO 18S07678 PMEC L3

➢ MBOZEKO YANNICK RONALD 18S14538 PMEC L3

➢ NKODO DESIRE 230341467 PMEC L3

➢ TABEUDA CHENDJOU ARIEL 18S07509 PMEC L3

➢ YOMCKIL JEREMIE CEDRICK 17S95962 PMEC L3

SUPERVISOR : DR NGO HANNA JOËLLE

DATE : OCTOBER 2023

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 CONTENTS

1- INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... iv

2- MAIN COMPONENTS OF AN ALTERNATOR .................................................................... v

3- PRINCIPLE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION...................................................... vi

4- ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE ALTERNATOR .................................. vi

4-1 ADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATOR .................................................................................... vi

4-2 DISADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATOR ............................................................................. vi

5- CONCLUSION .........................................................................................................................vii

List of figures Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3, Fig 4 and Fig 5 ………………………………………Page v

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 SUMMARY

Our aim was to produce electricity with magnets and copper coils from recycled electric engines. The generator
produces AC current that can turn on a electric bulb of 220 V.
The alternator is used in the fields of automotive, where it allows to recharge the battery and power
the electrical system of the vehicle ; wind energy, where it allows to transform wind force into
electricity ; and hydropower, where it allows to convert water power into electricity.

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 1- INTRODUCTION

An alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, producing alternating
current.
It is used to power various devices and machines with electricity, especially in the fields of
automotive, wind energy and hydropower.
We will first explain how the alternator works, then its advantages and disadvantages, and finally give
some examples of applications.

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 2- MAIN COMPONENTS OF AN ALTERNATOR

An Alternator consists of :
a) A rotor, which is the moving part and contains a magnet or an electromagnet,
b) A stator, which is the fixed part and contains coils of wire.

In our project we used :

• 04 Big magnets of 8 cm each
• 02 smaller magnets of 3 cm
• 02 Cupper wires of 4 m each
• 01 old electric fan as rotor
• 02 big screws
• 04 nuts
• 01 electric bulb
• 01 socket
• Electric cables

Fif 2 : Cupper wire

Fig 1 : Magnets

Fig 3 : An Electric fan Fig 4 : rotor

Fig 5 : final montage

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 3- PRINCIPLE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
It is the phenomenon that allows to create an electric voltage in a circuit when it is subjected to a
variable magnetic field. When the rotor rotates, it creates a magnetic field that varies in direction and
intensity, and induces an alternating voltage in the stator coils.

4- ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE

ALTERNATOR

4-1 ADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATOR

The alternator has a high efficiency, meaning that it converts a large part of the mechanical energy
into electrical energy, with little losses. It also requires little maintenance, as it has no wear parts such
as brushes or commutators. It also has a long lifespan, as it withstands well temperature variations
and shocks.

4-2 DISADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATOR

The alternator requires a source of mechanical energy to operate, which often involves the use of a
thermal engine or a turbine. It also produces noise, due to the friction between the rotor and the stator.
It also generates losses by Joule effect, which is a heat dissipation due to the electrical resistance of
the coils.

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 5- CONCLUSION

An alternator is device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, producing alternating
current ; it has advantages such as high efficiency, low maintenance and long lifespan ; it also has
disadvantages such as need for source of mechanical energy, noise and losses by Joule effect ; it is
used in many fields to produce electricity, especially in automotive, wind energy and hydropower ; a
concrete example of application is Three Gorges Dam in China, which is largest electricity producer
in world thanks to its turbo-alternators.
- Open up to perspectives or questions : what are challenges and issues related to use of alternator in
current context of energy transition ? How to improve performance and reduce environmental impacts
of alternator ? What are innovations and researches in progress in field of alternator ?

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