What is "electric machine"

Electric \E*lec"tric\ ([-e]*l[e^]k"tr[i^]k), Electrical \E*lec"tric*al\ ([-e]*l[e^]k"tr[i^]*kal), a. [L. electrum amber, a mixed metal, Gr. 'h`lektron; akin to 'hle`ktwr the beaming sun, cf. Skr. arc to beam, shine: cf. F. ['e]lectrique. The name came from the production of electricity by the friction of amber.]

1. Pertaining to electricity; consisting of, containing, derived from, or produced by, electricity; as, electric power or virtue; an electric jar; electric effects; an electric spark; an electric charge; an electric current; an electrical engineer.

2. Capable of occasioning the phenomena of electricity; as, an electric or electrical machine or substance; an electric generator.

3. Electrifying; thrilling; magnetic. ``Electric Pindar.''
   --Mrs. Browning.

4. powered by electricity; as, electrical appliances; an electric toothbrush; an electric automobile.

   Electric atmosphere, or Electric aura. See under Aura.

   Electrical battery. See Battery.

   Electrical brush. See under Brush.

   Electric cable. See Telegraph cable, under Telegraph.

   Electric candle. See under Candle.

   Electric cat (Zo["o]l.), one of three or more large species of African catfish of the genus Malapterurus (esp. M. electricus of the Nile). They have a large electrical organ and are able to give powerful shocks; -- called also sheathfish.

   Electric clock. See under Clock, and see Electro-chronograph.

   Electric current, a current or stream of electricity traversing a closed circuit formed of conducting substances, or passing by means of conductors from one body to another which is in a different electrical state.

   Electric eel, or Electrical eel (Zo["o]l.), a South American eel-like fresh-water fish of the genus Gymnotus ( G. electricus), from two to five feet in length, capable of giving a violent electric shock. See Gymnotus.

   Electrical fish (Zo["o]l.), any fish which has an electrical organ by means of which it can give an electrical shock. The best known kinds are the torpedo, the gymnotus, or electrical eel, and the electric cat. See Torpedo, and Gymnotus.

   Electric fluid, the supposed matter of electricity; lightning. [archaic]

   Electrical image (Elec.), a collection of electrical points regarded as forming, by an analogy with optical phenomena, an image of certain other electrical points, and used in the solution of electrical problems.
   --Sir W. Thomson.

   Electric machine, or Electrical machine, an apparatus for generating, collecting, or exciting, electricity, as by friction.

   Electric motor. See Electro-motor, 2.

   Electric osmose. (Physics) See under Osmose.

   Electric pen, a hand pen for making perforated stencils for multiplying writings. It has a puncturing needle driven at great speed by a very small magneto-electric engine on the penhandle.

   Electric railway, a railway in which the machinery for moving the cars is driven by an electric current.

   Electric ray (Zo["o]l.), the torpedo.

   Electric telegraph. See Telegraph.

The academic study of electric machines is the universal study of electric motors and electric generators. By the classic definition, electric machine is synonymous with electric motor or electric generator, all of which are electromechanical energy converters: converting electricity to mechanical power (i.e., electric motor) or mechanical power to electricity (i.e., electric generator). The movement involved in the mechanical power can be rotating or linear.

The apparatus that converts energy in three categories: generators which convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, motors which convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, and transformers which change the voltage level of an alternating current.

Although transformers do not contain any moving parts they are also included in the family of electric machines because they utilise electromagnetic phenomena.

Electric machines (i.e., electric motors) consume approximately 60% of all electricity produced. Electric machines (i.e., electric generators) produce virtually all electricity consumed. Electric machines have become so ubiquitous that they are virtually overlooked as an integral component of the entire electricity infrastructure. Developing ever more efficient electric machine technology and influencing their use are crucial to any global conservation, green energy, or alternative energy strategy.