In the context of electrical engineering, an armature winding refers to the coils of wire that are wrapped around the rotor of an electric motor or generator. The armature winding is the component of the motor or generator that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy or vice versa.
A coil in an armature winding is a single unit of wire that is wound around the rotor in a specific pattern. The number of coils in the armature winding determines the number of poles in the motor or generator. A pole is a point where the magnetic field of the armature winding interacts with the magnetic field of the stator (the stationary component of the motor or generator). A two-pole motor or generator has two coils in the armature winding, while a four-pole motor or generator has four coils in the armature winding.
The wire used to make the coils in an armature winding is typically made of copper or aluminum, as these materials have high electrical conductivity. The number of turns in each coil, the type of insulation used to separate the turns, and the spacing between the coils all affect the performance of the armature winding.
The electrical current flowing through the coils of the armature winding creates a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field of the stator. In an electric motor, the interaction between these two magnetic fields causes the rotor to rotate, which generates mechanical energy. In a generator, the rotation of the rotor causes the interaction between the magnetic fields, which generates electrical energy.