Commutation

Commutation is the positioning of the DC generator brushes so in that the commutator segments changes brushes at the same time the armature current changes direction.   More simply begin; commutation is the mechanical conversion from AC to DC at the brushes of a DC machine, as display in Figure.

                                         Figure: AC to DC Conversion with a Commutator

In a DC generator, commutation gives for the conversion of AC to a DC output which is produced within the armature windings. Commutation will be described in greater detail in following chapters.