What is a key characteristic of the stator in electrical machines?

The stator is the stationary part of electrical machines, which contrasts with the rotor, the component that rotates. The stator plays a crucial role in facilitating the generation of magnetic fields, which are essential for the operation of electric motors and generators. It houses the windings or coils that produce the magnetic field when electrical current flows through them. This magnetic field interacts with the rotor to create motion.

Understanding the function of the stator is essential for grasping how electrical machines operate. It is not responsible for generating motion itself, storing energy, or rotating. Instead, its significance lies in being a fixed structure that establishes the magnetic environment necessary for the rotor’s movement, ultimately enabling the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy or vice versa.