A generator equipped with a commutator delivers which type of current?

A generator equipped with a commutator delivers direct current because a commutator is specifically designed to convert the alternating current (AC) produced in the generator’s armature windings into direct current (DC).

In a typical generator, the coils of wire rotate within a magnetic field, generating an alternating voltage. However, with the inclusion of a commutator—a mechanical switch that reverses the connection of the coil to the circuit as it rotates—current is maintained in a single direction. This switching action ensures that the output current flows consistently in one direction, characteristic of direct current.

Understanding the function of a commutator is essential in differentiating between AC and DC. In contrast, generators that do not have commutators, such as those designed to produce AC, allow the current to alternate directions, resulting in alternating current output.