What is Generator: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In electricity generation, a generator is a device that converts motive power (mechanical energy) into electrical power for use in an external circuit. Sources of mechanical energy include steam turbines, gas turbines, water turbines, internal combustion engines, wind turbines and even hand cranks. The first electromagnetic generator, the Faraday disk, was invented in 1831 by British scientist Michael Faraday. Generators provide nearly all of the power for electric power grids.
The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by an electric motor, and motors and generators have many similarities. Many motors can be mechanically driven to generate electricity; frequently they make acceptable manual generators.

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  1. U

    How Does an AC Generator Produce EMF?

    Homework Statement Need to draw a graph of the emf generated by a simple single-phase generator which has a coil of 200 turns. The coil is 14cm long and 9cm wide. The magnetic field in the generator is 0.15T. The generator coil is turned at a rate of 3000 revolutions per minute. Can someone...
  2. B

    Concept of slip speed in Self Excited Induction Generator (SEIG)

    Hi Guys, :smile: In case of an Induction Generator (IG) connected to grid, the rotor runs at super synchronous (above synchronous) speed exhibiting -ve slip. This is possible since the grid frequency is fixed at say, 50Hz. However, in case of a Self Excited Induction Generator (SEIG), it...
  3. I

    Generator Shaft Power (Input) to Generator Out

    Hi, I am working on a project and my friend said to me the gas turbine shaft power is 'x' amount of power. It is directly coupled to a generator so the power to the generator is the same 'x' amount of power. How does that shaft power relate to the output of the generator? The shaft spins...
  4. W

    Design of Wave generator mechanism

    Attached is a drawing of my Proposed mechanism. Am I right to say the period of the waves could be determined by changing the length of the Rod? Any comments on the design?
  5. E

    Generator types in wind turbines

    What are the percentages of types of generators commonly used in wind turbines? To clarify, what percentage are regular squirrel-cage machines? What percentage are doubly-fed machines, permanent magnet machines, synchronous machines, and so on. I'm looking for a general idea of these statistics.
  6. K

    I need generator which at 150000 rpm give 42A at 10kW current

    Hello, I need Your help. I am looking for generator and I don't know were to find it. I need generator witch at 150000 rpm give 42A at 10kW current. This generator I will use at my car turbine, so it should be smoll. Thank you for your help.
  7. N

    Recovering the generator of rotation from canonical commutation relations

    I'm having a course in advanced quantum mechanics, and we're using the book by Sakurai. In his definition of angular momentum he argues from what the classical generator of angular momentum is, and such he defines the generator for infitesimal rotations as...
  8. J

    Proof of Fermat's Little Theorem: g Generator of Fp*

    Prove that: g is a generator of Fp* if and only if g^(p-1) = 1 (mod p) and gq ≠ 1 (mod p) for all prime divisors q of (p – 1). I am thinking about applying Fermat's theorem...but don't know how... Request help, thanks.
  9. R

    Calculating Charge & Radius of a Van der Graaff Generator Dome

    [b]1. A spherical dome of a Van der Graaff genenerator can be raised to a maximum electrical potential of 600 kV; then additional charge leaks off in sparks as the electric field reaches 3.0 MV/m. Determine the charge and radius of the dome. [b]2. Homework Equations [E=kq/r^2 and...
  10. W

    What Are the Best Ways to Store Energy from a Perpetual Magnetic Generator?

    please help me with this problem... I'm sure someone on here has put this idea in there head on how perpetual magnetic generator would work so i don't need to explain. I have made one and I am making energy LOTS but and trying to figure out the best way to store it. Ideas?
  11. E

    Can Scientists Create Focused Beams of Subatomic Particles?

    What kind of subatomic particle streams are scientists able to generate and how do they do it? I know that LHC is banging together proton-protons streams and protons are large bulky particles and interested in finer grained particles. I am like asking if they can emit quark, gluon, boson...
  12. A

    Orientation of coil in electric generator: Important?

    Hi, I'm working with my granddad on a project to build a (simple!) electricity generating windmill. We're not trying to make the most efficient design possible, just a reasonably efficient design given the simple tools and materials we're using. It's mostly just a project for fun! :) So, we...
  13. K

    Will this linear generator (NIB magnet) work to light infrared pulses?

    Hi. I want to make an assembly in which when one clicks a switch, it lights an infrared LED for 1/30 of a second. Basically, instead of having a switch and a battery, i use a linear generator as a switch, giving current only when pressed to light LED. Like any linear generators, when one...
  14. E

    Low speed permanent magnet snychronous generator

    Homework Statement A permanent magnet synchronous generator (as used in the wind industry) develops 5MW of electricity at 12 RPM; What amount of mechanical torque would be required to turn this generator at 12 RPM.? These generators are said to be 95% efficient Homework Equations...
  15. R

    Twin Prime Sieve - A Unique and Efficient Method for Generating Twin Primes

    http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=50&threadid=2331345&enterthread=y" I discovered this sieve a couple of weeks ago and could not find anything similar in the liturature. I made a very ugly proof and sent it off to JAMS, where it was rejected immediately. Since then, we...
  16. neduet

    What Is the Best Low-Cost Material for Generator Windings?

    Hello friends friends, which material generator coil is made and are they insulated of current but not magnat flux or can we use same wire which is used in electrical motors winding, Q:which is low cost and best material winding for generator? thanx
  17. T

    Diesel Engine driving a generator

    Homework Statement A diesel engine which drives a generator has an output of 60 hp operating at a n=31%. Then generator has a n=79% and supploes a load circuit at 240 V. The diesel engine uses light fuel oil (LFO) with a calorific value of 19,600 BTU/lb. Calculate: 1. The generator...
  18. M

    Can a Toroidal Inductance Generator Really Output Five Times Its Input Energy?

    Ive made an experimental generator built loosely of the Faraday flashlight technology. Rather than a linear air coil using a reciprocating magnet I've made a toroidal coil and added magnets on the outside of the toroidal to coerce unidirectional movement of the interior magnets that match the...
  19. O

    Build In-Phase Sine Wave Generator 1KHz-12KHz Voltage Controlled

    Help! I need to build an in-phase sine wave generator with quadrature output and its frequencies are between 1KHz-12 KHz and it need to be voltage controlled Thanks for any help anyone can provide.
  20. J

    Generator Residual Magnetism

    I plan to use a automatic genset controller to protect/run a synchronous generator. This controller determines when to disconnect the starter by determining the generator frequency. I plan to connect the exitor regulator to the main breaker so when the main breaker trips the regulator is shut...
  21. T

    Transformer and Generator in Per Unit System

    Homework Statement A 3-phase generator rated 100 MVA, 13.2 kV, X = 20% is connected through a Δ/Y transformer to a transmission line whose series reactance is 40 ohms per phase. Assume that the base values in the line circuit are 200 MVA and 115 kV. Find the generator and transformer...
  22. M

    Designing a Small 5W Generator from Compressed Air

    I'm looking to drive a small, 5 watt generator from compressed air (psig>60) and while being fairly frugal with the air (<.25 ft^3/min). I hope to have the base and spindle cut using a common three axis mill. Hears where I need help - I don't know how the control surfaces should be shaped or...
  23. L

    Steam driven brushless DC generator - would this idea work?

    Hi fellow thinkers. I need constuctive criticism on the following:- Imagine a tube circling around into a closed loop - like a hoop. Inside the hoop is a ring of connected bar magnets all facing the same way. Pressurized steam is fed into the hoop - and exited in such a way as to spin the...
  24. J

    Possible Explanation for Candle Generator?

    Candle Generator?? A Coworker showed me this video today. Is this even possible? To me it looks like he flips a switch under the table when the light goes on and off, and when the motor goes on and off. I do have a semester of general physics under my belt, but I have no idea how to explain...
  25. R

    Can electrical curents flow from generator to transformer

    Hi, got a doubt this mng, when I heard the power will be shutdown in my office tomorrow to repair a faulty circuit b/w transformer and my office. when the transformer is shutdown, and generator/ups/battery is used to keep the power supply to critical components, will the current flow into...
  26. G

    Van de Graaff generator? adding a electron?

    Van de Graaff generator? adding a electron?? Homework Statement A)If a Van de Graaff generator is charged to 5,000 volts, how much energy does it take to add and additional electron to the charge on the sphere? If the charge of an electron is -1.6 x 10 ^-19... B) How would the voltage...
  27. J

    Generator loss of exitation protection

    I am trying to protect a generator fro loss of field with a reverse KVAR relay. My question is does a reverse KVAR relay's current transformer need to be upstream or downstream of AVR's connection to line voltage? (AVR is automatic voltage regulator) Does it matter at all.
  28. A

    Generator of rotations rotations of WHAT?

    "Generator of rotations"...rotations of WHAT? The angular momentum operator is defined as the "generator of rotations." Fine. But rotations of WHAT? What's being rotated? The wave function (doesn't make sense; isn't the wave function a scalar), perhaps? An arbitrary vector in the coordinate...
  29. J

    Paralleled Generator Protection

    What is the difference between a reverse power relay and a reverse KVAR relay?
  30. O

    AC Circuits II: AC Power Generator

    Homework Statement A An AC generator supplies an rms voltage of 110 V at 60.0 Hz. It is connected in series with a 0.300 H inductor, a 5.80 μF capacitor and a 236 Ω resistor. What is the impedance of the circuit? B What is the rms current through the resistor? C What is the average power...
  31. P

    Circuit Diagram: Pulse Generator W/Varying Width/Amplitude/Freq

    help me out with circuit diagram of pulse generator with varying pulse width,amplitude and frequency
  32. J

    What are generator neutral earthing resistances

    what are generator neutral earthing resistances. Are they necessary for small generators? (50 KW 3 phase 120/208v.)
  33. S

    High frequency pulse generator

    Hi, I'm trying to build a high frequency generator. The pulse needs to have atleast 1ns rise/fall time, variable amplitude (~0-8V), 50 Ohm output impedance, and have very little jitter/be stable and I need to be able to set the pulse width and delay from ~5-1000ns. Cheers, Steve
  34. J

    Ngine running at 900 RPM to power a generator

    I am trying to use an engine running at 900 RPM to power a generator that needs to run at 1800 RPM ( This will go through a pulley) My question is is half the available horsepower to the generator lost since the RPM's are doubled? In other words, do I need to double the horsepower of the...
  35. A

    Generator Efficiency: Learn About RPM Impact

    Hey, I was wondering if someone could link me to a good source where I can read about electrical generator efficiencies and how they relate to RPM. I tried doing some derivations myself and came up with a somewhat believable result, but am not ready to trust myself as this is far outside my area...
  36. J

    Dual-Channel Sine-cosine generator

    Hello All, I am doing some random experiments where I want to generate a very fast rotating magnetic field using two out of phase sine waves (90 degrees separated). I wanted to ask you all here if you have ever seen any kits for a dual sine wave generator that allows the user to adjust the...
  37. Y

    Inductance in an AC generator.

    I just have some confusion about whether or not self-inductance will occur in an AC generator. The current is alternating in both direction and magnitude rapidly when it is generated and this will in turn cause a changing magnetic field around the conductor. This magnetic field will then...
  38. S

    Lattice diagrams and generator in Algebra

    Homework Statement I do not understand the following statement (Please, see the attachment): "C4 has trivial subgroups and only one cyclic subgroup of 2 elements, namely <b>. This is because both a and c can be verified to be generators of C4." The Attempt at a Solution The notation...
  39. D

    Designing a Hydro Generator for my Farm

    Over the past few years I have like many of you become interested in renewable energy. Over the past few months we have gotten a lot of rain. We also have a small creek in our pasture and it begins with 2-12 inch field tiles. The end (beginning i guess) has been filling with silt over the...
  40. I

    How does a zener diode affect voltage and current in a circuit?

    Hey guys, I'm in need of some help. First... I know that the formula for a generator is V = N(turns) * A(m2) * B(tesla) * RPM 1. Is that valid for both AC and DC generators ? 2. Is the formula for a generator with only one magnet and one coil ? If so, then adding more coils changes the...
  41. N

    Sine Wave Generation Coil: Exploring 0-360 Degrees

    Sine wave generation coil at 0 degree the coil is parallel with the north and south poles of the magnet, no voltage and no wave. At 90 degree coil is cutting maximum flux line and generates voltage and first positive, half of the wave. At 180 degree again no voltage end of one half of a wave. At...
  42. P

    Resistive load bank testing for generator

    Ok, so here's my scenario/question. I am a technician that works on generators and does load bank testing on them. I'm having a debate with my boss about power factor and IF I'm wrong--I would like to understand why. Today I load banked a generator that was rated at 25kVA and could run...
  43. Loren Booda

    A prime generator I discovered

    Somewhere between brute force and Mersenne derivation of primes is the formula I found, \prod_{n=1}^Np_n-1=p_Z I guess it would generate more primes pZ than Mersenne in a given interval, but requires knowledge of all primes to pN, the Nth prime. It may produce only primes, rather than...
  44. N

    Simulating 200MVA Synchronous Generator: Estimating Flux Leakage

    We simulated a 200MVA synchronous -salient pole- generator, using the 2D finite-element simulation program OPERA (by Vector Fields). We are trying to determine some parameters of the generator such as transient, subtransient and synchronous reactances as well as time constants by applying...
  45. D

    Maximum EMF in a rotating coil, in an AC generator?

    Homework Statement Im currently in my last year of high school, and I'm writing a report on AC generators. I've heard a number of different things from different sources. When the coil is perpendicular to the magnetic field, maximum magnetic flux is flowing through the coil. This is then at a...
  46. D

    Find the maximum AC current flowing through the generator.

    QUESTION 10*** A generator with output voltage ε(t) = εmax cos (ωt) is connected to the primary of a transformer. A resistor is connected to the transformer secondary. The transformer has an iron core with N1 turns on the primary and N2 turns on the secondary. Assume that the transformer is...
  47. R

    Is HHO Resonance a Real Discovery or a Scientific Hoax?

    I have made a new design i haven't seen anywhere on youtube or elsewhere. it might be a freak accident that i found hho resonance but I may have found it. I have build a generator with only 2 plates which yes I've seen that on youtube before but that's when people are just experimenting with...
  48. S

    Need slow flow high pressure wind generator fan design

    Hi, I have been toying with the idea of producing electricity from the cross winds that build up in my house. Basically when I leave a window open one one side of my flat and open a window on the other the wind blows through the house very strong. I want to place a wind generator on one...
  49. J

    Van de Graff Generator: Electrostatics, why do objects repel the generator

    Homework Statement a) Why do pie pans fly off the Van de Graff Generator when turned on? b) When foam peanut are placed inside a pie pan with the Generator turned on, what causes the foam peanuts to fly out? c) Why does a person's hair stand up when they touch the generator...
  50. J

    Van De Graff Generator: Explanations to why object repel generator

    Homework Statement a) Why do pie pans fly off the Van de Graff Generator when turned on? b) When foam peanut are placed inside a pie pan with the Generator turned on, what causes the foam peanuts to fly out? c) Why does a person's hair stand up when they touch the generator...
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