What does "commutator" mean?

An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.

Commutator

Common synonyms include: device, electrepeter, electrical parts and devices, generator, parts, relay.

noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Noun

1
An electrical switch, in a generator or motor, that periodically reverses the direction of an electric current.
2
switch for reversing the direction of an electric current wordnet
3
A binary map in a given group G, given by [g, h] = ghg⁻¹h⁻¹, where g and h are elements of G, which yields the group's identity if and only if the group operation commutes for g and h.
4
A binary map in a given ring R, given by [a, b] = ab − ba, where a and b are elements of R, which yields the ring's zero element if and only if the multiplication operation commutes for a and b.