How Generators Work: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Generators are a large part of disaster preparedness. They serve as a backup energy for nearly every industry. Businesses and homeowners alike have found peace of mind in the event of a power outage when having a generator onsite. But what makes a generator so essential? They convert mechanical and chemical energy into electricity that can be used when the power grid is down. At its core, a generator is an engine that produces power after consuming fuel.
The components of a generator:
Frame – this is the chassis of your generator. It holds all the mechanical parts together in one cohesive unit.
Engine – The engine moves and powers the remaining mechanical parts of the machine. In effect, this is what produces the energy.
Alternator – The alternator contains moving and stationary parts that facilitate the transfer of electrons and generate electricity.
Fuel System – The function of this system is to inject fuel into the combustion chamber for use by the engine. This includes the fuel tank, pumps, a pipe connecting to the engine, and a return pipe.
Exhaust System – The exhaust system ensures that the byproducts of combusting a fossil fuel are ejected from the system. This helps to ensure that pressure and excess heat do not build up within the generator.
Voltage Regulator – The voltage regulator helps to regulate the voltage output. It helps to convert AC current to AC voltage when the generator falls below a set maximum operating level. It keeps the machine in a state of equilibrium related to its operational capacity.
Battery Charger – Batteries help to kickstart the generator, like how they function in your car. The battery charger takes advantage of the electricity already being produced by the engine and the alternator while the generator is functioning to ensure that the battery is always in a state of full charge.
Control Panel – This device allows you to control the generator. It helps you to turn it on or off, adjust the output, and monitor the energy generation capacity. It may also alert the user to potential issues with the generator.
With all of that in mind, this is how a generator works to produce electricity:
Step 1: The engine makes use of a fuel source, be that gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, natural gas, or a renewable energy source to begin the process of generating mechanical energy by running the moving parts of the generator.
Step 2: The alternator then makes use of this mechanical energy that the engine provides to produce an electrical charge, and then pushes those charges through the wiring and an electrical circuit.
Step 3: This movement of electrical charges creates a motion between magnetic and electrical fields. The rotor is responsible for moving it around a stator within the alternator, which contains stationary parts that can conduct electricity.
Step 4: The DC current that is produced by this movement is then converted into an AC current that can be used.
Step 5: The generator pushes this AC current to appliances, household items, industrial machinery, or anything else that requires an electrical current to operate.
Are you in need of a generator for your home or business? We can help. With our combined decades of power generation experience, our techs here at GenTech can help you select the perfect generator for your needs. Contact us today to learn more.