What do slip rings do in an AC generator?

Sketch of a cross-section of slip rings for an electric motor. In this example, the slip rings have a brush-lifting device and a sliding contact bar, allowing the slip-rings to be short-circuited when no longer required. read more

In an AC output generator used to generate electricity for domestic or industrial purposes the slip rings normally carry the AC output and are connected to the load, in an automotive alternator the slip rings only carry a low DC voltage to excite the rotating field, the load does not connect to the slip rings, hence the tiny brushes of automotive alternators compared to the much bigger brushes of the AC output alternators. read more

The slip rings (plural) carry electricity. In the case of an alternator, DC at low current flows via the slip rings to the rotor, which induces higher AC current in the stator windings. read more

Best Answer: A common 'textbook example' of an ac generator consists of a stator made up of magnetic poles, and a rotor wound with an armature coil, the ends of which are brought out as connections through slip rings, like a DC machine but with out the commutator. read more