Stators

A stator is the stationary component of many electromechanical devices, contrasted with the rotor, which rotates. In electric motors and generators, the stator provides the magnetic field without moving, while the rotor carries the moving parts and interacts with that field to produce torque or induce electricity.

In electrical machines, the stator typically consists of a laminated iron core with slots for windings. The windings form either distributed three-phase configurations or concentrated arrangements. When fed with alternating current, the stator windings generate a rotating magnetic field that interacts with the rotor, producing torque in motors or inducing current in generators. The core is built from insulated laminations to minimize eddy currents, and the overall design—including the number of poles, winding type, and insulation—affects torque, speed, and efficiency. Stator assemblies may be mounted in various forms, such as cylindrical (surrounding a rotor) or with salient poles, depending on machine type and application.

In fluid machinery, the term stator also refers to stationary blades or vanes in turbines and compressors. These stator elements direct and convert the flow of a working fluid, guiding it into the rotor blades and improving efficiency across stages. In hydroelectric and gas-turbine plants, the stator serves to shape the flow and, in electrical machines, to provide the stationary magnetic field that enables power conversion.