What is Generators: Definition and 299 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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. S

    I ##SU(2)## generators in ##1##, ##2## and ##3## dimensions

    The ##{\bf su}(2)## Lie algebra in a representation ##\bf R## is defined by ##[T^{a}_{\bf R},T^{b}_{\bf R}]=i\epsilon^{abc}T^{c}_{\bf R},## where ##T^{a}_{\bf R}## are the ##3## generators of the algebra. In ##2## dimensions, these generators are the Pauli matrices ##T^{1}_{\bf 1} =...
  2. O

    Generators of Lie Groups and Angular Velocity

    I envision the three fundamental rotation matrices: R (where I use R for Ryz, Rzx, Rxy) I note that if I take (dR/dt * R-transpose) I get a skew-symmetric angular velocity matrix. (I understand how I obtain this equation... that is not the issue.) Now I am making the leap to learning about...
  3. Kara386

    Calculating SO(3) Generators and [J_k, r^2]

    Homework Statement Using the commutation relations ##[x,p_x] = i\hbar## etc, together with the ##SO(3)## generators ##J_k (k=x,y,z)## in their operator form to calculate ##[J_x, \mathbf{r}]## and ##[J_x, \mathbf{p}]## where ##r = (x, y, z)## and ##p = (p_x, p_y, p_z)##. Then show that ##[J_k...
  4. Safinaz

    I Commutation relation of hypercharge and SU(2) generators

    Hi all, I read in Cheng and Li's book "Gauge theory of elementary particle physics" Ch 11, specifically : Eq. (11.46) that the hypercharge commutes with the SU(2) generators, i.e., ##[Q-T_3,T_i]=0##, I'd like to understand what that mean and how this could be proved ?
  5. MrKriss

    Three phase star connection with different offset

    Homework Statement For a balanced star connection i have given angles for V1=90 V2=0 V3=-90 i have to find the voltage required to produce the same phase currents as in standard three phase voltage source e.g V1=120 V2=0 V3 =-120 Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Im not even sure...
  6. kumar1405

    Steam Generator Technology in Nuclear Power Plants

    hi every one , I need an information about the development of steam generator technology in nuclear power plants . please suggest me some websites or textbooks for reference . thank you in advance .
  7. Heisenberg1993

    A Real parameters and imaginary generators

    I was reading some lecture notes on super-symmetry (http://people.sissa.it/~bertmat/lect2.pdf, second page). It is stated that ". In order for all rotation and boost parameters to be real, one must take all the Ji and Ki to be imaginary". I didn't understand the link between the two. What does...
  8. Biker

    AC generators and Transformers

    So Assume that I have an AC generator and I am giving it enough power to keep spinning with the same rate. So I have limited power usage. The generator creates maximum voltage V and because power is limited that leaves me with only 1 specific current. Now if I connect this generator to a...
  9. SuperSusanoo

    Proof about symmetric groups and generators

    Homework Statement Let n>=2 n is natural and set x=(1,2,3,...,n) and y=(1,2). Show that Sym(n)=<x,y> Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Approach: Induction Proof: Base case n=2 x=(1,2) y=(1,2) Sym(2)={Id,(1,2)} (1,2)=x and Id=xy so base case holds Inductive step assume...
  10. G

    Electric Generators and resistance

    I am curious as to how much energy is lost by resistance that exists between the magnet and the cooper coils. For instance, if a the work done to push a magnet through a copper coil tube produces a certain amount of power, how much of work is lost due to the magnet resistance as the magnet is...
  11. E

    How Magnetic Flux Causes Load on Generators

    this might have been answer before. Question is, what in physics or chemistry creates a load on a generator when the demand increases. For example, If no lights are turned on connected to a generator, it will spin freely. but the more lights are turned on the harder is to spin the generator...
  12. Narayanan KR

    A motor design to defy Lenz' law?

    1. The two rotors (purple, green) are electricaly isolated but mechanically fit to rotate along same axis 2. The motor action on the left side rotor will move the armature set, this will produce currents in right side rotor that will pass via a variable load. 3. do you see the magnetic fields...
  13. C

    I Adjoint representation and the generators

    Given that ##g T_a g^{-1} = D^b_a T_b## one can show that the generators in the adjoint representation of a group ##G## are the structure constants of the lie algebra satisfied by the ##T_a##. Write ##g## infinitesimal, so that ##g = 1 + \mathrm {i} \alpha^a T_a## and ##D^c_a = \delta^c_a + i...
  14. J

    I Commutator between Casimirs and generators for Lorentz group

    The generators ##\{ L^1, L^2 , L^3 , K^1 , K^2 , K^3 \}## of the Lorentz group satisfy the Lie algebra: \begin{array}{l} [L^i , L^j] = \epsilon^{ij}_{\;\; k} L^k \\ [L^i , K^j] = \epsilon^{ij}_{\;\; k} K^k \\ [K^i , K^j] = \epsilon^{ij}_{\;\; k} L^k \end{array} It has the Casimirs C_1 =...
  15. EinsteinKreuz

    Hardware Random Generators: Transistors vs Diodes

    So which method works better for random number generation(in terms of flatter frequency spectrum): transistor breakdown or Zener noise? I want to know whether to use a Zener diode or a Transistor when building a white noise generator. And FTR I intend to use Germanium because of its higher...
  16. M

    Use of Capacitors for Generators

    When we run our Gensets individually, we are getting a Power Factor of 0.55 and 0.65 for our 250 KVA and 365 KVA Gensets respectively.3. An Electrical Engineer advised us to install a 90 KVAR Power Capacitor and an Automatic Power Factor Control Panel to get a PF of 0.85 for our existing load...
  17. C

    I Electroweak symmetry and unbroken generators

    I realize there has been quite a few threads on this topic lately but I wanted to ask some questions that I have here. The following are statements from my lecture notes and I have write my questions after each statement. In the gauge sector of the electroweak theory, we can write down...
  18. evinda

    MHB Exploring the Roots and Generators of $g$ in $\mathbb{F}_{16}$

    Hello! (Wave) We consider the irreducible polynomial $g=y^4+y+1 \in \mathbb{F}_2[y]$ and let $b$ be a root of $g$. I want to find all the roots of $g$ and also three generators of $\mathbb{F}_{16}^{\ast}$ as for the basis $\{1, b, b^2, b^3 \}$. Given that $b$ is a root of $g$ we can see that...
  19. C

    Paralleling Generators: Effect of Long Term Use in Private Network

    Looking for some guidance on the effect of long term paralleling of different generation sets in a private network as follows: 2 x 2.5MVA diesel generators stepped up to 11kV through DYn11 (in reverse to obtain a neutral while islanding) 3 x 1.0MVA Gas turbines stepped up to 11Kv through Yyn11...
  20. BonesSheppard

    How to Determine the Specifications of Unlabeled D/C Generators?

    Hi I am working on a wind turbine competition as far as the competition is going, designing my turbine and everything else, it's actually going quite well so far. But the one aspect which I have been scratching my head for a while has been the generators I have to use to make electrical energy...
  21. Safinaz

    How do I calculate the trace of SU(3) generators in the adjoint representation?

    Hi all, The trace of two SU(3) generators can be calculated by: ## T_{ij} T_{ji} = \frac{1}{2} ##, now how to calculate the trace of SU(3) generators: ## T_{il} T_{lk} T_{kj} T_{ji} ## ?
  22. M

    Question: How does the triboelectric effect produce electricity in generators?

    recently i began reading about triboelectric effect and triboelectric generators(and/or triboelectric nanogenerators) but i really need somebody to explain me this. those generators produce the amount of energy mentioned in this pic just from the contact and separation of the layers?. like if...
  23. F

    Can anyone explain this anomaly?

    Homework Statement Hi, so during an experiment, I spun a magnet inside a coil of wire in order to induce an emf, and measure the input power and output power. One of the things I found was that the slower the magnet spun (ie the smaller the input voltage to the motor) the larger the induced...
  24. deckart

    Optimizing AC Household Generators for Consistent 60 Hz Frequency at Varying RPM

    I'm only familiar with a gas powered generator that I use at home when the power is out. But I'm designing a contraption that will be able to spin a generator with considerable torque. But the RPM will not be consistent. I can limit the upper end but it will often be below max RPM. Am I...
  25. S

    Dimension of SO(n) and its generators

    The generators of ##SO(n)## are pure imaginary antisymmetric ##n \times n## matrices. How can this fact be used to show that the dimension of ##SO(n)## is ##\frac{n(n-1)}{2}##? I know that an antisymmetric matrix has ##\frac{n(n-1)}{2}## degrees of freedom, but I can't take this idea any...
  26. L

    Fuel efficiency, turbine vs stroke generator

    Hi, I'm trying to figure which is more fuel efficient, turbine vs stroke generators. This honda stroke engine generator does 1000w for 3.8 hrs with 0.6 gallons of fuel or 2.3 liters, so the power per liter of fuel is 1,300 kW. http://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu1000i Then I...
  27. C

    Generators of a semi-simple lie algebra are traceless

    Homework Statement Consider a semi simple lie algebra. Show that if ##T_a## are the generators of a semi simple Lie algebra then ##\text{Tr}T_a=0##. 2. Homework Equations The commutation relations of the generators and the cyclic properties of the trace. The Attempt at a Solution $$[T_a...
  28. Zeynel

    Wind turbines with many small generators

    Hello, This is not a homework question. I'm not a student. In fact I'm retired. The other day, I was passing by a wind turbine. I thought "wouldn't it be better to have hundreds of small generators with small wings connected together instead of one huge generator with huge wings?" But I did...
  29. J

    How to find generators of symmetric groups

    Hi, I was wondering how to find a minimal set of generators for the symmetric groups. Would it be difficult to fill-in the following table? ##\begin{array}{cl} S_3&=\big<(1\;2),(2\;3)\big> \\ S_4&=\big<(1\;2\;3\;4),(1\;2\;4\;3)\big>\\ \vdots\\ S_{500} \end{array} ## Is there a procedure to...
  30. L

    Why are DC generator loops wired in a non-traditional manner?

    Given a simple DC generator with a single loop in the presence of a magnetic field such as the one below, typically, the analysis involves how each rectangular loop's terminal ends up on opposite sides of an armature housing each of the coils. The analysis is fairly straightforward to then...
  31. Anchovy

    What are all the generators of SU(5)?

    I'm trying to find out what all the generators of the SU(5) group explicitly look like but I can't find them anywhere. I know what the first 12 look like: T^{1,2,3} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0\\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \sigma^{1,2,3} & \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & &...
  32. P

    Orthogonality of inner product of generators

    Hi, this is a rather mathematical question. The inner product between generators of a Lie algebra is commonly defined as \mathrm{Tr}[T^a T^b]=k \delta^{ab} . However, I don't understand why this trace is orthogonal, i.e. why the trace of a multiplication of two different generators is always zero.
  33. J

    Mathematica Mathematica: Finding ideal generators as fast as possible

    Hi, I'd like to find ``ideal'' generators for integer mod groups as quickly as possible and am running into timing problems when the number is large. It's a two-step process: (1) find orbits for all combinations of a generator set, and (2) select which generators are ideal. For (1), the step...
  34. D

    Electric machines (looking for books)

    Please help me, this is my last hope. I am an el. engineer student and i need GOOD books on electrical machinery. My proffesor is more a good repairman than a great scientist who could teach me about all the theoretical (matematical and physical) concepts which have led to modern design process...
  35. Q

    About cartan and root generators of lie algebra

    I am reading the text Group Theory A Physicist's Survey of Ramond, in particular chapter 7. He explains classical lie algebra structure using cartan generators and root generators. He sometimes uses reality condition of structure constant( i think he supposes that all generators are...
  36. J

    Prove relation between generators and automorphisms of Z/nZ*

    Hi, I was wondering if anyone here could help me prove or disprove this empirical observation or explain why there seems to be a connection between automorphic generators described below and the automorphisms of these groups: Consider the p-group expansion: ##\mathbb{Z}_n^*\cong S_2\times...
  37. K

    Generators of Lorentz Lie Algebra being complex?

    I was wondering about the following Λ=I+iT T are the generators and Λ a continuous LT transformation, thus it is real. Therefore T needs to be imaginary. And we can find two sets one being the generators for SO(3) J_i and the other for boosts K_i, which are both imaginary. Now I am wondering...
  38. J

    Find minimum number of generators for Z/nZ

    Is there a method to find the minimum number of generators ##\big<a_1,a_2,\cdots,a_k\big>## needed to generate ##\mathbb{Z}_n^*## such that ##\mathop{\cap}\limits_{n=1}^k \big<a_n\big>=\{1\}## other than by just looking for them and checking orders and products of group elements? For example...
  39. CompileTime

    Regarding electricity and electric generators

    Please note, this is a question, and not a guide or instructional article. While learning about electrical-engineering, I realized that I did not really know what electricity was. So I decided to read into it, and what I found was quite confusing. A lot of articles I read conflicted with my...
  40. I_am_learning

    Absurdly high Frequency resolution of function generators?

    I checked some common commercial high-quality lab function generators and they seem to provide frequency output upto 50 Mhz (not a big deal), but with resolution of 1 uHz ! That means, they can generate signal with 50000000 Hz and also with 50000000.000001 Hz ?? That would equate to time-period...
  41. milkman_78

    Size constraints of generators

    Based on what I have gathered so far, I don't see why a micro-scale generator wouldn't work, but then again I am a geographer with modest calculus skills. My biggest problem is not knowing how much I don't know, and I am hoping some kind and wise soul on PF can cure my ignorance. Let's say I...
  42. C

    How Coulomb's Law relates to generators? (voltage)

    Homework Statement In science class, we are supposed to explain how a generator works and functions. However, we have to incorporate coulomb's law in our explanation. Homework Equations F=kQ1Q2/r^2<-- coulomb's law The Attempt at a Solution How I understood it was that a generator consists of...
  43. A

    Extremely high current generators

    I'm doing some research into capturing a large amount of energy over a short period of time. The energy will be stored in supercapacitors but I'm finding it hard to find information on how a generator would cope with this. My project investigates the feasibility of using a regenerative braking...
  44. resurgance2001

    Simple explanation of group generators

    Hi I am trying to get a simple grasp of the concept of a group generator and group representations. As ever wherever I look, I get very mathematical speak definitions such as: "A representation is a mapping that takes elements g in G into linear operators F that preserve the composition...
  45. W

    Someone know a bit about Generators? (windmill project)

    Hi just started working on a hobby project with making a wind mill. I got to the part were i have made the blades and the casing, for the wind mill. I was wondering what type of generator should i use for a 1,5m diameter blade. I really don't have anything special that i want the power to go to...
  46. I

    Voltage generators in open edges and Thevenin's generator

    Homework Statement I hope you can see the picture clearly. Someone drew lines over it,so please try to ignore that. The problem here is to determine the current of ideal current source Ig, if following parameters are known: -E1=50V, E3=30V -R1=200Ω, R2=500Ω, R3=3kΩ, R4= 10 kΩ -C=0.7 μF...
  47. D

    Hooking Up Two Inverter Generators, Its Done, Just Wires?

    Hello, http://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-GPK30RV/p1893.html Reliance Controls Sidewinder™ Parallel Power RV Cables is an example of this. That one is universal. Honda makes same thing for their invertor generators, plug two 2,000 watt together to get 4,000 watts...
  48. A

    Connecting dc generators in series

    Hi, I want to connect multiple small dc generators in series to increase the power , it is possible ? What are the problems that i might face while doing it ?
  49. V

    Understanding Lorentz Group Generators: Derivation & Step in Eq 15

    Hi, I am trying to understand the derivation of the Lorentz generators but I am stuck. I am reading this paper at the moment: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1103.0156.pdf I don't understand the following step in equation 15 on page 3: \omega^{\alpha}_{\beta}=g^{\alpha\mu}\omega_{\mu\beta} I don't...
  50. T

    Can Superconducting Generators Improve Efficiency in Hydropower Plants?

    i believe that superconducting generators are now in use,We have hydropower plants in our country still using the conventional generators. My idea for my masters dessertation would to replace these generators with the superconducting ones, and hopefully get better efficiency. Would this make a...
Back
Top