How Does a Generator Work?

So, how does a generator work?

A generator is basically a machine which converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

It works pretty much the same way your car is powered by a fuel.

The process is pretty simple once you break it down.

Generators possess engines just like automobiles. The engine is worked by burning fuels such as gasoline, diesel or natural gas.

When the fuel burns in the piston after being injected, it expands at a very high speed thus pushing the piston up.

The piston is connected to the crank shaft which rotates the dynamo.

Multiple pistons may be used to rotate the crankshaft and thus more the number of pistons higher is the power obtained.

This is specified by the manufacturer as the number of cylinders.

Once the crankshaft is rotated, it is now time to convert the mechanical output into electrical form.

This conversion is based on a principle proposed by Micheal Faraday and Joseph Henry. Simply stated it says that if a copper wire is moved to and fro in the presence of a magnetic field there is a voltage difference generated in the wire.

This in turn causes a current to flow through it. The same logic is implemented in a generator.

Main Components of a Generator

The main component which performs this task is called an alternator also known as the generator head, or "genhead".

The alternator consists of two different parts. The "stator" is the stationary part which houses copper wires wound around a soft iron core. The soft iron is used to increase efficiency.

The other part is the rotor or armature which rotates with the power of the crankshaft. It houses the necessary mechanism to generate magnetic fields through the rotary motion and induction.

For small alternators, permanent magnets are used but for large alternators induction is the more efficient method. The alternators which use induction are also called brushless alternators.

Voltage Regulation

To continue answering the question of how does a generator work, we move on to the voltage.

The voltage regulator is the next important component of the cycle. The voltage regulator sends a part of the output voltage back to another set of windings in the stator called the exciter windings.

The exciter windings then pass on the current to rectifiers which convert the AC to DC current. The rectified DC is fed to rotor which produces an electromagnetic field, in addition to the field already generated by induction.

This step then increases the overall output and we obtain an even larger AC voltage output.

This process takes some amount of time and this is exactly the reason why generators take time to reach their maximum output levels. Also when a load is connected the AC voltage dips and the voltage regulator again repeats the job thus maintaining a stable output.

Generator Cooling Systems

To further answer our question of how do generators work, we move on to the cooling system.

Generators can be air cooled or liquid cooled.

Air cooled generators consist of a fan and a radiator to dissipate the heat while a liquid cooled system comprises of a coolant running around in pipes absorbing heat.

This is a very essential part of any generator and proper care should be taken to ensure there is proper ventilation around the generator.

All the above are the essential components of any generator. Also bundled with them are other important components such as a battery for electric start, a control panel for ease of operation.

And that basically explains the question, "How Does a Generator Work".

Generator Parts

How Generator Heads work