Generating higher voltage or current
Increase the number of turns of the wire
If you want to increase the voltage (and therefore the current) generated by the turning handle you can increase the length of the wire affected by the magnets. You do this by forming a many-coiled armature. The small voltage from each circle will add together to give a much larger voltage. A coil with 100 turns will have more voltage than a one-turn coil. This is true when you create direct current or when you create alternating current.
Direct current
The diagram below shows direct current being produced with three coils.
Alternating current
The diagram below shows alternating current being produced with three coils.
Increase the strength of the magnet
Increasing the strength of the magnet will produce a stronger magnetic force on the wire and therefore more voltage (and therefore current). But that is not always easy. A bigger magnet helps but you can also make better magnets. Better magnets can be made using expensive alloys or expensive manufacturing processes and there are thousands of ways scientists are trying to improve them. This is true when you create direct current or when you create alternating current.
Direct current
The diagram below shows direct current being produced under a larger more powerful magnet.
Alternating current
The diagram below shows alternating current being produced with bigger magnets.
Increase the speed of the handle
The faster you turn the handle, the more voltage (and therefore current) will be generated. The problem is that the more current you generate the harder it is to turn the handle. Because electricity is now passing through the coil, the coil itself is now producing a magnetic effect and Lenz's law says that it will try to oppose this movement. The faster you go the harder it is to turn. This is why, when you need large voltages or current you need a very powerful turning handle. This is true when you create direct current or when you create alternating current.
Direct current
The diagram below shows direct current being produced by turning the handle much more quickly.
Alternating current
The diagram below shows alternating current being produced by turning the handle much more quickly.
Powerful turning handles
Powerful turning handles come in many forms but a major form you will be familiar with is wind turbines.
Slow-moving but powerful blades have enough force to move very high ratio gear transmissions to generate fast turning spindle shafts to generate electricity.
