
Electrical degrees are used to simplify the analysis of multipolar machines in electrical engineering. They are related to mechanical degrees in rotating electric generators and motors. In a two-pole machine, 360° of electrical cycle corresponds to 360° of mechanical rotation. In a machine with more than two poles, one electrical cycle is generated per pair of poles per revolution. Electrical length is a dimensionless parameter equal to the physical length of an electrical conductor such as a cable or wire, divided by the wavelength of alternating current at a given frequency travelling through the conductor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Electrical Degree | One 360th of a cycle of an alternating current |
| Relationship with Mechanical Degrees | In a two-pole machine, 360° of electrical cycle corresponds to 360° of mechanical rotation |
| Relationship with Poles | In a machine with more than two poles, one electrical cycle is generated per pair of poles per revolution |
| Electrical Angle | The electrical angle between the centers of succeeding poles of opposite polarity is 180 electrical degrees |
| Electrical Length | A dimensionless parameter equal to the physical length of an electrical conductor divided by the wavelength of alternating current at a given frequency |
| Application in Radio Frequency Circuit Design | Electrical length is used in radio frequency circuit design to determine when wave effects (phase shift along conductors) become important |
| Graphical Representation | The Smith chart is used to graphically represent electrical length, with a scale in wavelengths and degrees |
| Electrical Degree of a Stator | In a P-pole stator, there are (180 x P) electrical degrees in 360 mechanical degrees |
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What You'll Learn

Electrical degree and mechanical degree
An electrical degree is defined as one 360th of a cycle of an alternating current. It is a dimensionless parameter in electrical engineering that is used to describe the physical length of an electrical conductor such as a cable or wire. It is calculated by dividing the length of the conductor by the wavelength of the alternating current passing through it.
In the context of rotating electric generators and motors, there is a definite relationship between electrical and mechanical degrees. In a two-pole machine, 360° of electrical cycle corresponds to 360° of mechanical rotation. This means that one complete revolution of the shaft equals 360 mechanical degrees, and during this rotation, there is one transition from "North" to "South" to "North" again, which equals 360 electrical degrees.
However, in machines with more than two poles, the relationship between electrical and mechanical degrees changes. For example, in a six-pole machine, each mechanical degree is equivalent to three electrical degrees. This is because each revolution of the shaft in a six-pole machine generates three cycles of voltage in each armature coil, resulting in a different rate of change in the magnetic field compared to a two-pole machine.
The relationship between mechanical angle (\theta_m) and electrical angle (\theta_e) can be expressed as: \theta_e = (P/2)\theta_m, where P is the number of poles. This equation shows that the electrical angle is directly proportional to the number of poles and is always half the value of the mechanical angle in a given machine. By understanding this relationship, engineers can analyze the performance and behaviour of multipolar machines using a simplified two-pole basis, enabling the application of trigonometry to solve alternating-current problems.
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Electrical cycles and voltage cycles
Electrical degree refers to one 360th part of a cycle of alternating current. It is used to simplify the analysis of multipolar machines by allowing them to be analysed on a two-pole basis and enables the use of trigonometry in solving alternating-current problems.
In electrical engineering, electrical length is a parameter that describes the physical length of an electrical conductor, such as a cable or wire, in relation to the wavelength of alternating current passing through it. It is defined for conductors carrying alternating current (AC) at a specific frequency or narrow band of frequencies. The electrical length of a conductor is determined by its construction and is important in understanding wave effects, such as phase shifts, in a circuit.
A cycle is a repetition of a pattern. In the context of voltage and current, a cycle occurs when there is a series of changes that return to the starting point, and then the same series of changes occur again. This is represented by a symbol of a wavy line in a circle. In a cycle of voltage, it starts from zero, increases to a maximum positive value, decreases back to zero, then increases to a maximum negative value, and finally decreases back to zero. At this point, the cycle can repeat. Each cycle consists of two alternations, the positive and negative, with each constituting half a cycle.
The frequency of a cycle is the number of cycles per second, measured in hertz (Hz). In a generator, the voltage and current pass through a complete cycle each time a coil or conductor passes under a north and south pole of a magnet. The number of cycles per revolution is equal to the number of pairs of poles. For example, a two-pole generator will have one cycle per revolution, while a four-pole generator will have two cycles per revolution.
Duty cycle refers to the ON and OFF time periods or cycles per second in load operations, such as lamp brightness and heating element outputs. It is related to the voltage average for each cycle, with a longer ON time resulting in a higher voltage average.
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Alternating current
Electrical degree is defined as one 360th of a cycle of alternating current. It is a concept used to simplify the analysis of multipolar machines, allowing them to be analysed on a two-pole basis. This concept is particularly useful in the context of alternating current (AC).
AC is an electric current that periodically reverses its direction, in contrast to direct current (DC), which only flows in a single direction. The voltage in AC circuits also reverses because the current changes direction. AC is the form of electrical energy that consumers typically use when plugging appliances into wall sockets. It is also used to power electric motors, which are the same as generators, except that motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
AC voltage can be increased or decreased with a transformer, making it efficient for power transmission over long distances. This is because higher voltages lead to significantly more efficient transmission, reducing energy loss due to wire resistance. AC is also used to transmit information, such as in telephone and cable television signals.
The electrical length of a conductor is a parameter used in electrical engineering that is defined for conductors carrying AC at a single frequency or narrow band of frequencies. It is calculated by dividing the physical length of the conductor by the wavelength of the AC at a given frequency travelling through it. Electrical length is used with a graphical aid called the Smith chart to solve transmission line calculations.
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Electrical angle
In a multipolar electrical machine, such as a motor or generator, the relationship between the mechanical angle and the electrical angle is given by the formula: Electrical angle = (Number of poles / 2) x Mechanical angle. The mechanical angle refers to the rotation of the shaft, with one revolution of the shaft equalling 360 mechanical degrees. On the other hand, the electrical angle is related to the magnetic position of the rotor. One transition from magnetic north to south to north again equals 360 electrical degrees.
The electrical angle should repeat at each pole pair. For example, in an 8-pole motor, the electrical angle should repeat 4 times in one mechanical revolution. If the electrical angle varies significantly between pole pairs, it could indicate an issue with the motor windings, magnetic rotor, or feedback device.
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Electrical length
The electrical length of a conductor is equal to its physical length divided by the wavelength of the alternating current at a given frequency travelling through it. It is expressed in wavelengths and can be calculated using the formula:
> Electrical length = Physical length / Wavelength of alternating current
The electrical length can also be expressed as an angle in radians or degrees, representing the phase shift the alternating current experiences while travelling through the conductor. This can be calculated using the formula:
> Electrical length (in degrees) = Phase shift (in degrees) = βl (in radians)
Where β is the phase constant and l is the physical length.
By adjusting the reactance (capacitance or inductance) of an antenna or conductor, it is possible to electrically lengthen or shorten it to achieve resonance at a desired frequency.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical degree is one 360th of a cycle of alternating current.
Electrical length is a dimensionless parameter equal to the physical length of an electrical conductor (such as a cable or wire) divided by the wavelength of alternating current.
In a two-pole machine, 360° of electrical cycle corresponds to 360° of mechanical rotation. However, in a machine with more than two poles, one electrical cycle is generated per pair of poles per revolution.
In a P-pole stator, there are (180 x P) electrical degrees in the 360 mechanical degrees of the stator.
Electrical length is widely used with a graphical aid called the Smith chart to solve transmission line calculations.










































