What component causes a generator to produce DC voltage instead of AC?

The commutator is a crucial component in a DC generator that enables it to produce direct current (DC) voltage instead of alternating current (AC). In a generator, the rotor, or armature, rotates within a magnetic field, inducing an electromotive force (EMF) that generates an alternating current as the direction of the induced voltage changes with the rotation.

The commutator, which is connected to the armature, functions by reversing the connection of the armature windings to the external circuit at just the right moment. As the armature turns, the commutator switches the output connections to the resistive load, converting the alternating output into a unidirectional current. This process results in the output being a smooth, continuous DC voltage rather than the alternating voltage that would naturally occur without the commutator's action.

While other components like diodes are used in various types of rectifiers to convert AC to DC, in the context of a generator, it is the commutator that directly ensures the output remains as direct current.