How many cycles of AC voltage can a six-pole alternator with a revolving field produce in one rotor revolution?

A six-pole alternator with a revolving field produces two cycles of AC voltage for every complete revolution of the rotor. This is due to the relationship between the number of poles in the alternator and the frequency of the AC output.

The fundamental concept is that each pair of poles generates one complete cycle of AC voltage. With six poles, there are three pairs (since each pair consists of one north pole and one south pole), resulting in three cycles produced over the rotor's full rotation. However, because the alternator alternates the polarity as the rotor turns, the overall output corresponds to two distinct cycles of AC voltage within one complete revolution of the rotor, as each pair of poles contributes to the alternating current.

Understanding this interaction between the pole count and the cycles is essential for grasping how alternators generate AC power and is fundamental to the design of electrical generation equipment.