What term describes the electrical interaction between the brushes and the commutator?

What term describes the electrical interaction between the brushes and the commutator?

• A. Arcing
• B. Commutation
• C. Insulation
• D. Lubrication

Answer: (B)

Commutation is the process by which the current in the armature windings is switched as the rotor turns, achieved through the brushes riding on the segmented commutator. This electrical interaction ensures the current seen by the external circuit remains in the proper direction and that the torque produced by the motor stays in the same rotational direction. As the rotor passes the neutral position, the commutator segments swap connections to the windings, effectively reversing the current in each winding at just the right moment. Arcing can occur if timing or contact quality is poor, but arcing is a byproduct of commutation rather than the interaction itself. Insulation and lubrication relate to isolation and wear reduction, not the electrical interaction described here.

Commutation is the process by which the current in the armature windings is switched as the rotor turns, achieved through the brushes riding on the segmented commutator. This electrical interaction ensures the current seen by the external circuit remains in the proper direction and that the torque produced by the motor stays in the same rotational direction. As the rotor passes the neutral position, the commutator segments swap connections to the windings, effectively reversing the current in each winding at just the right moment. Arcing can occur if timing or contact quality is poor, but arcing is a byproduct of commutation rather than the interaction itself. Insulation and lubrication relate to isolation and wear reduction, not the electrical interaction described here.