Can a Ac electric motor be converted into a generator?

Answer 1

I found a web site that explains how to do it:

(1st link)

It seems to make sense, but I have not tried it yet.

That is for single phase induction motor

here is for three phase motor

(2nd link)

I tested both links and it works perfectly.

Answer 2

Yes. An AC generator and an AC motor are functionally very similar. I would not recommend using a permanent magnet type, since you cannot easily control the output. You want an induction motor to start with. This motor takes some power to create an electromagnet out of the rotor (the rotating part), and some power flows through the stator (the non moving part). The magnetic field produced by the current flowing through the stator and rotor oppose each other, causing the motor to turn. The more power that is pushed through the stator and rotor, the more power the motor has to turn. A generator on the other hand usually has both electrical and kinetic power applied to the rotor. The electric power creates the electromagnet, and the kinetic power turns the rotor. As the rotor turns, a voltage is induced in the stator winding, which causes "back emf", which you can think of as pushing against the current in the rotor until an equilibrium is reached (the back emf reduces the rotor voltage to some degree as load is added/removed from the stator). As you increase the rotor voltage, higher induced voltages result on the stator, which causes more back emf, which slows the generator down (assuming load is on the stator) unless more kinetic energy is supplied. In a typical generator, this slow down is prevented by the governor, which controls the amount of kinetic energy applied to the rotor. the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) is used to control the voltage to the rotor. With this in mind, to change an ac induction motor to a generator you need a source of kinetic energy, and you need to figure a way to supply a (controllable) DC voltage to the rotor. If you need variable power output (...you will, due to start up if nothing else), you need to create some sort of automatic/manual voltage control to the rotor. Also, you need some sort of governor to keep the motor turning at the right RPM's. There are many more considerations, but this should get you started.

Answer 3

Turn the shaft

A permanent magnet motor can generate a voltage when you turn it's "drive" shaft. There is little to actually to distinguish a permanent magnet motor from that of a permanent magnet generator. However, it it is direct current motor its possible to generate a reasonably constant voltage. If you have a Alternating Current motor the resulting output should be an alternating voltage. Note: These Im afraid are likely to be quite small, low power types of motor.

Answer 4

In construction wise both dc motor& dc generator is same.if the mechanical energy is applied as input to the dc motor means,it will run as a GENERATOR.

Answer 5

you can simply convert dc to ac by rectification method. This is done by assembling electronics components; such as; diodes(4), transistor n resistors.

Answer 6

"Yes." I say that because you don't have to reverse-engineer anything! Just hook up some output wires to the brushes on the motor, and you're good to go!