Commutator: A Mechanical "Switch" That Makes the Current Obedient

Imagine that the generator is like a factory that produces electricity, and the commutator is the busiest "traffic controller" in this factory. Its job is to make the continuously generated current flow in the same direction, so that we can use stable electricity.

In a DC generator, the coil rotates and rotates, and the direction of the generated current is actually changing all the time. At this time, the commutator comes into play - it is composed of a pile of copper sheets, like a rotating "switch group". Every time the coil rotates to a certain position, the commutator "clicks" to switch the contacts, forcibly bending the changing direction of the current back to ensure that the final output current direction remains unchanged. This is like a traffic policeman at a crossroads. No matter how chaotic the traffic is, he waves his hand and all cars have to drive in the same direction.

Although the commutator has a simple structure, it is the heart of the generator. Without it, the current output by the generator will be positive and negative like a roller coaster, and the light bulbs at home will flicker, and the electrical appliances will not work properly. This "mechanical switch" is indispensable in today's car generators and power tools.

However, the commutator also has its own minor problems. Long-term friction will cause wear and tear, and it may also cause poor contact due to electric sparks. Therefore, engineers are now also studying the use of electronic commutators to replace mechanical commutators, just like using intelligent traffic systems to replace traffic police commands. But at least at this stage, this "old traffic policeman" made of copper sheets is still sticking to the generator position.

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