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. A

    AC Electricity Generation and Transmission over a Single Wire?

    I'm a bit confused as to why can't you transmit AC current over a single wire. For instance, say you have an AC generator which induces potential difference at different points of the wire and thus, creating current. Downstream, the wire can be split and applied to a load. When the wire is...
  2. T

    Calculate the Force Required for a Wave Generator in a Water Flume

    I have been tasked with building a wave generator in a flume. I need to find out how much force will be required to drive a wedge into a body of water so that we can get the right sized motor. For simplicity sake this wedge is 200mm tall, with a 45deg angle and 600mm wide. It is entering the...
  3. Abimotek

    Automotive Honda EU generator -- which is the best oil temperature range rating?

    Please below attached which is best oil in my 4 stroke gen set Honda EU 10i, weather temperature attached in my area. I all so have two oil grades > 4T 10w-30 and Coastal Synthetic Blend 5W-30, please advice which will help the life of the gen set
  4. T

    Power output of a theoretical generator

    so, assuming that you know all of the aspects of your theoretical generator, apart from the voltage and current, how would you work it out. I know that it is possible, but i can't find anything that I understand, or is even valid online. There should be some equations i can use to work it all...
  5. G

    Conceptual difference between a motor and a generator

    Hi. In order to explain the motion of an (accelerating) electromotor, we need the Lorentz force which itself is not one of Maxwell's equations. Conversely, if we use the same electromotor inversely to generate electricity, Faraday's law (which is a Maxwell's equation) and the resistance of the...
  6. L

    Engineering Motor and generator -- what is the difference?

    Homework Statement Im trying to get a head so reading next term work i know how both operate but just wanted to double check are both basic motors and generators made up of the same components? Homework Equations yes The Attempt at a Solution I was sure but just wanted to check, so i know...
  7. F

    B Any interest in a spacetime diagram generator?

    Hi, I've written a script-based spacetime diagram generator. I have no idea if it has any value for anyone besides myself—you may have access to better tools than I do. When I looked for spacetime generators, I only found some very limited web tools and one downloadable program that wasn't much...
  8. T

    How does mechanical torque affect generator volts and amps?

    Hello! today I have a question regarding the most efficient way to generate electricity by moving a magnet across a coil. The theoretical magnet would be moving in a circular motion fixed to the outer circumference of a driver wheel like in many simple generators, how does the physical torque...
  9. BabyHueyTAW

    Determining Number of Turns for low voltage AC Generator

    Ok, I did a quick search, and could not find answer. I need to determine how many turns / windings of 24awg magnet wire are required to generate no less than 5VAC no greater than 20VAC single phase using 3 of the N45 Neo Magnets rated at 13800 gauss each with 275-pound pull. Y'all give me a clue...
  10. G

    Let current from a Van de Graff generator flow through you

    Hi. I have two questions about the following video with a 200'000 V Van de Graaff generator: At 5:57 he touches ground, apparently feeling nothing. He explains this with a very low current and proceeds that the current from a 120 V outlet is high and might kill you. But with ##I=U/R## and...
  11. iVenky

    What happens to the reflected wave when it gets back to the generator?

    Basically, we have a transmission line not matched to load R. So there is a forward wave and a reflected wave. Now when the reflected wave reaches back to source 'S', does it get absorbed by the source? Does that mean the source 'S' gets back some of the power (equal to the reflected power) that...
  12. D

    DC generator question -- what is happening at no load?

    In the case of a d.c. generator, if V=E–IaRa when current flows through the armature, why does V = E at no load? Why does the resistance element become disregarded at no load? Is this because the resistance can't cause the voltage to drop at no load?
  13. nova_n

    Electrical Why is my homemade generator not working?

    Hello! first post! So my copper wire is 24 gauge, aka 0.51mm diameter. And the spool was filled to the full volume of the cylinder. In the finalized coil, the portion in between the walls is 7.75cm in length, and the coil(not the black walls) is 7.5 cm. I found that by taking the diameter of...
  14. N

    Build an Efficient Electrostatic Generator: Tips, Tricks, and Resources

    Hi all Interested in making an electrostatic generator, anyone have experience of building one and also what type would be the most efficient build induction or friction based? Lots of info on the net regarding the principles but and good books for this or websites? Also how best to...
  15. R

    Ensuring Optimal Generator Rotational Speed: The Role of Timer Devices

    Hello, I have a simple question: What is the timer device in a generator? For instance, in order to get the standard frequency of 50Hz, there should be a rotational speed of 3000 rpm. what device measures and ensures this? Thanks
  16. Celso

    Induced EMF — generator coil area calculation

    Homework Statement What is the necessary area for a generator that produces an emf of ##\mathcal{E} = 150V## when it spins at a ratio of 60 revolutions per second, in a magnetic field of ##B = 0.5 T##? Homework Equations ##\oint_{c} E \cdot dl = \mathcal{E} = -\frac{d}{dt}\iint_{s} B \cdot dS...
  17. K

    Generator tripping on ground fault during load test

    We have been testing a Cummins VTA-1710-G2 Diesel Generator 1800 RPM 480 Vac 671 kW with an Avtron K580 load bank that is hooked up to our three 480 Vac output cables and one cable to our facility ground. The generator output breaker keeps tripping when the load is around 350 kW. The test...
  18. P

    AC supply - Signal generator - CRO in circuits

    Hello, This problem is about a.c. I am used to simply using basic a.c. supply symbol in circuit diagrams. Here, I need to draw the set-up for an experiment where I can change the frequency of the supply (not the voltage) and see how this affect the peak current through a coil. how can i...
  19. Javier Lopez

    A Ion Generation Troubleshooting: Overcoming Limitations in Small Ion Accelerators

    I have to increase ion generation in a small ion accelerator but I have troubles to go over 20mA (1.27e17 ions/second). I can modulate up to 40 Mhz at 1kV. What ion generator it is recommended gor large ion flux?, I can work in pulse generation.
  20. K

    How to wind a DC generator coil?

    I want to make a dc generator and not sure my design will work. I will wind the coil on a donut shape disk and put 6 rectangular magnets on a disk rotor with North Pole face the coil. Please see attached pictures. Will this design works or have problems? Can I have one continuous coil or I...
  21. grandpa2390

    Automotive Recharge an RV battery by hand cranking a generator

    If you've seen breaking bad you probably already know what I'm asking. in this episode I'm watching, they are hand cranking the generator to recharge the battery. They are moving nowheres near as fast as the motor would have spun it. My dad had a hand crank device that was, more or less, a toy...
  22. twoski

    How to Generate Semi-Organic Shapes for a 2D Map Generator in Dominions Game?

    Hello, I am working on a map generator for a game called Dominions. I plan to make it open source once it's functional. Maps in this game typically wrap vertically and horizontally, so the generator must create maps that seamlessly wrap on the X and Y axis. Typically (for even player counts)...
  23. Zahid Iftikhar

    Magnetic Field of an AC generator

    Hi Please help me in understanding the kind the magnetic field used in an AC generator. Most of the figures (one shown in attached file) are shown with concave poles. Hence the field has to be radial. In such a field the angle between plane of coil and the magnetic field remains zero all the...
  24. G

    AC generator output voltage to grid question

    Hi, In a given area there are different types of power plants , let's assume they are (coal, nuclear, wind and solar) Now as I have learned most of these plants (except solar and some others) use synchronous generators as the last step between mechanical energy conversion into electricity. But...
  25. F

    Measuring the current from a micro generator affects its output?

    I am performing an experiment where I have built a scale model of a wind turbine, and am measuring the current it can produce with a micro generator. I am using a standard multi meter and the micro generator is DC. I do not know much about the topic, but whenever I start measuring the current...
  26. S

    Best anode materials for water-based hydrogen generator?

    I want also to build electrolysis based hydrogen generator or and water oxygenator/aerator. It's simple electrolysis device but requires special electrodes that are corrosion resistant or at least safe for human consumption. I seen that hydrogen bottles use platinum titanium electrodes. Platinum...
  27. B

    How do I calculate the power of a generator in terms of speed?

    Hi, here I am again. This is also related to my previous threads. My question is: How do I calculate the power of generator in terms of speed(rpm) from a drive system (such as belt and chain drives)?
  28. F

    Portable generator - grounding or not?

    Hello, I have read of someone being electrocuted using a generator. I noticed that portable generators don't need to be Earth grounded with a grounding rod. Why not? In the households, all appliances are grounded and directly connected to the ground through the main panel. However, if the...
  29. R

    Sawtooth wave generator from operational amplifiers

    Homework Statement Homework Equations See above in the question The Attempt at a Solution I know that I need to be using a summing amp with the sinusoidal terms but I am struggling to calculate the input values that I need, also I think I need a capacitor in place of R6 but I'm not...
  30. C

    Electrical How to maximize the efficiency of the corona discharge generator

    Hi, I have a wirmhurst electrostatic generator and I want to use it to create a corona discharge. My common sense tells me that the metal "shaft", which connects to the metal spheres should lead to significant (electron) leak, since it has a much smaller radius of curvature than said spheres. If...
  31. G

    Is My Pramac GSL30 Generator Dead? Testing and Identifying Coil Connections

    A mate of mine has bought a Pramac GSL30 generator (30kVA) ‘as seen’, and of course there is no output. Inside the connection box of the Stamford alternator unit, someone has been fiddling - the output wires have been disconnected and taped, and the AVR has also been unplugged. Now, it’s a...
  32. Roxy Hasan

    Electrical If i wanted to make a generator .... which equations would I need to use?

    i want to make a generator by rotating turbine by water... i want a equation for speed of the armeture and others please help
  33. A

    True output voltage on a Van De Graaff generator?

    Greetings, How do you know what the true output voltage on a Van De Graaff generator is? Can it be measured? If a manufacturer advertises it as having an output voltage of 100,000 Volts, is this an idealistic, classroom quote or the true quote they have actually measured? If the output voltage...
  34. G

    Power grid & generator questions

    Before I begin I have to note that my last thread of this kind got heavily moderated and closed because the moderators did not like the specific way in which I was formulating my questions, so now I want to clarify and reaffirm some of what I have learned through questions without making any...
  35. G

    Power plant generator improvement

    I have looked over the types of generators used in most power plants (Hydro, Nuclear, coal etc) and with different sized and rotor rpm's they all basically share the same principle of operation if I'm not mistaken, which is that the rotor gets supplied via brushes and slip rings with a DC...
  36. A

    Why does a coil squash my function generator signal?

    Greetings, In the first picture below, I create a 5 volts sine amplitude signal with a frequency of about 100 Hertz. The 3 Ohm, 400 turn coil (that will eventually be part of a transformer) is not initially connected. The output waveform from my function generator completely matches my input...
  37. wolram

    Audio Signal Generator: Cheap & Ready-Made

    Dear sir. I want to test my valve amplifier, to do so I need a signal generator, I do not want to buy a kit I want a cheap ready made one , can any of you guys tell me where to buy such a thing? thanks.
  38. niaz

    Cylindrical rotor generator power under loss of excitation

    Hello all, I want to know about turbo alternator real power producing capability under loss of excitation condition. Normally in salient pole rotor have capability to supply real power under field current=0 condition, as there is reluctance power developed. But what about non salient pole...
  39. EF17xx

    AC generator -- Understanding coil voltages as function of position

    Homework Statement In an ac generator Voltage is maximum when the coil is parallel to the direction of magnetic field (B) Voltage is minimum (0) when the coil is perpendicular to the direction of magnetic field (B) I'm trying to understand why. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution A...
  40. D

    Generator Input and Output Power

    Hello I try to build a brushless Generator. Let me try to explain it. I have a brushless engine. max 6000 Watt 250KV. And I have combustion engine. 3500 Watt by 16k RPM If I connect the combustion engine with the brushless motor and the combustin engine turns with 16k the brushless motor...
  41. M

    Van De Graaf Generator & Gauss's Law

    My Textbook states"The same principle behind Faraday’s ice pail experiment is used in a Van de Graaff electrostatic generator (Fig. 22.26). A charged belt continuously carries charge to the inside of a conducting shell. By Gauss’s law, there can never be any charge on the inner surface of this...
  42. D

    Question about the efficiency of a generator

    Using a certain kinetic energy, does a generator produce the same amount of electric energy even if I change the rpm by gearing? Also, does a generator produce energy in proportion to the number of rotation? I mean, does a generator create the same amount of energy between when it's rotated 10...
  43. E

    Why is a capacitor a generator of lagging reactive power?

    An ideal capacitor has power factor of zero degree leading as current leads the voltage in capacitor.But it also means that capacitor is generator of lagging reactive power.What does that mean.How does it do so.Capacitor is used for reactive power generation at inductive load sites.
  44. J

    How does does a DC generator work?

    The way I understand most generators that are used in plants is that they take the heat form combustion or fission and use It to create steam to run a turbine with magnets on it that create AC power over a coil. how could a dc generator work?
  45. W

    Serl Effect Generator: What Is It?

    What is Serl effect generator ?
  46. M

    Mechanically driven generator & inductive resistance to torque

    I have found research from multiple sources and probably shouldn't question but I want to be clear. Inside a generator you have a fixed number of poles and a fixed number of induction coils, the particulars are not important. As a pole rotates past the "inductor" which holds the coil there...
  47. F

    Induced voltage in a coil in a three phase permanent magnet axial flux generator

    I am currently designing a three phase permanent magnet axial flux generator, but have a question regarding the voltage induced in the copper coils. Faraday's law defines this voltage as the number of turns in the coil, times the change in flux (external magnetic field times area of coil) over...
  48. S

    Lightbulb and mini hydro generator

    I am using a 1.5 V incandescent light bulb. I know that if I connect a 9V battery to it or any higher voltage, it will burn it due to the large current flowing through it (Ohm's law if V goes up then the current goes up as well assuming constant R). Now I a have a 12 V mini hydro generator...
  49. T

    Lagging or leading synchronous generator

    Hi, It has been a long time since I studied synchronous machines and I am trying to understand the mechanism of how the armature excitation can result in the generator being lagging or leading. So please correct me if I say something like it's axiomatic but its really erroneous. Now, according...
  50. R

    Synchronous Generator Short Circuit - Hazards

    What are the possible hazards and causes of short circuit internally in a synchronous generator?
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