A generator is a beneficial thing to have when power supply from the local grid is unavailable. They are often the secondary, or back-up, power source for places. Generators can be used in nearly all settings: homes, businesses, industrial areas.

They help prevent our daily lives from coming to a standstill if the usual power supply fails. However, if an area finds it challenging to access the local electrical grid, or where it is simply unavailable, a generator may be the primary source of power.

There are different types of generators for various purposes. This article aims to explain what they do and how generators work. Let’s get started.

What Does a Generator Do?

As stated above, generators are usually used as a secondary power source for places when the primary power source fails. Generators come in different shapes and sizes.

For example, you can get a small portable one or a permanent one to power a house or business.

Industrial generators are powerful and are capable of supplying and maintaining full power to facilities such as offices or hospitals. You can’t perform emergency care in the dark, so this is when a generator can literally be life-saving!

There are different ways to power a generator, and these include diesel generators, propane generators, natural gas generators, and bi-fuel generators.

Types of Generators

There are numerous types of generators to suit different purposes and areas. However, there are three main types of generators: standby, portable, and inverter. We’ll take a look at how each of these generators work.

Standby Generators

A standby generator operates via an automatic transfer switch that directs it to power a device in the event of power loss. Some of the main characteristics of this generator are:

  • It will run on the fuel already available in the area
  • It can operate using either natural gas or liquid propane
  • Works automatically and continuously monitor utility power
  • Performs automatic self-tests to evaluate if it can react to power loss properly
  • Uses an internal combustion engine
  • Recognizes power loss within seconds- power loss is kept to a minimal
  • Provides permanent power protection
  • It can be used in a safety system for medical and life support equipment, fire protection systems, standby lighting, and elevators.

Just to name a few.

Portable Generators

Portable generators are powered by diesel fuel or gas and provide temporary electrical power. Some characteristics of this generator include:

  • Can be used in remote sites
  • Can be plugged into sockets for electrical appliances or tools
  • Provides enough power to run essential home items such as lights, freezers, fridges, and televisions
  • Can be wired into a facility’s subpanels

For more information on diesel generators like this, click here.

Inverter Generators

Inverter generators use an engine which is connected to an alternator to produce AC (Alternating Current) power. Unlike other generators, it uses a rectifier to convert the AC power into DC (Direct Current) power. Other characteristics include:

  • Tends to be small and lightweight
  • Can fit into cars, boats or RVs
  • Goes through three phases to produce electricity
  • Depends on high-tech magnets
  • Uses advanced electronic circuitry
  • Outputs AC converts this to DC and finally inverts back to AC. The AC can then be set to any voltage and frequency if used alongside the right equipment
  • Produces and maintains constant power to an appliance
  • Energy-efficient: adjusts engine speed automatically according to how much power is needed

And, much more besides.

How Generators Work

So we’ve looked at the different types of generators there are and what they can be used for. But how does a generator actually work?

In simple terms: a generator converts kinetic (motion) energy into electricity. The generator is composed of a stationary magnetic field, or stator, in which the rotating electromagnet, or armature, spins to produce an electrical current.

Think of a hand crank flashlight- the motion of turning the crank is converted into electricity. Or perhaps think of renewable energy, such as a wind turbine- the natural force of the wind turns the blades and produces power. It’s the same principle with a generator.

Something that may seem surprising is that the generator doesn’t actually “create” electrical energy. Instead, a generator converts its motion energy mechanically or chemically into electrical energy.

An Example

Perhaps to understand this concept even better, consider a water pump. The pump causes water to flow, but it doesn’t actually “create” the water that flows through it.

This is done by taking power produced by motion and forcing electrons from the external source through an electrical circuit. Once a current is established, it is directed through copper wires into an external machine, device, or even an entire electrical system.

Large electrical generators can create energy by transferring the power generated by water or wind into electricity. Smaller generators often rely on gas, diesel, or propane fuel sources to produce mechanical power.

In fact, modern generators are established due to the work of English physicist, Michael Faraday and his “Principle of Electromagnetic Induction,” discovered in 1830.

Essentially, Faraday discovered that when a conductor moves in a magnetic field, it creates electrical charges. These charges could then be directed to create a current, and thus energy.

What Makes Up a Generator?

To fully understand how a generator works, let’s look at what a generator consists of. There are nine elements to a generator, and each part is essential for making the generator function.

Main Frame

The body of the generator. This is what you see, and is the structure that holds everything in place.

The Engine

This supplies energy to the generator. The engine’s power determines the amount of electricity the generator can provide.

Alternator

This is where the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy happens. It includes both stationary and moving parts, which work together to create the electromagnetic field and electron movement.

Voltage Regulator

This regulates/helps control the voltage of electricity produced. It also plays a part in converting AC to DC, if needed.

Fuel System

This makes it possible for the generator to produce energy. The fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fuel pump, a pipe that connects the tank to the engine, and a return pipe.

An injector, which forces fuel into the combustion chamber and a fuel filter is also part of this system. The filter removes debris before it can get into the engine.

Cooling and Exhaust

As you can imagine, generators create a lot of heat. The cooling system safeguards against the generator overheating. Like an exhaust of a car, the exhaust system on a generator directs and removes the fumes.

Battery Charger

Batteries are used to start up generators. The battery charger is an automatic component that guarantees the battery is ready to work when needed. It does this by supplying the battery with a constant, low-level voltage.

Lubrication system

For things to go smoothly, lubrication is essential. There are loads of small, moving parts to a generator, and these need to be adequately lubricated to protect them and maintain smooth operation.

Lubrication should be checked regularly and even as often as every eight hours during usage.

Control panel

The control panel is incredibly important and is the brains of the generator.

It controls every aspect of the generator- from its startup to its running speed, to its output. New control panels can recognize power dips and can start or shut down a generator automatically.

Fuel

A generator needs fuel. Without fuel, combustion cannot take place, and therefore no energy can be created. There are different fuel options. For industrial generators, diesel is the most-used source of fuel.

For residential generators, natural gas or propane can be used. However, smaller, portable generators typically run on diesel, gasoline, or propane, and some are bi-fuel capable (meaning they can run on both gas and diesel).

Fuel needs to be on-site so that the generator has the fuel it needs immediately to function when necessary. Sometimes fuel can be stored in storage tanks- both above or below ground.

There’s No Need to Stay in the Dark

Understanding how generators work isn’t only interesting but could be useful if you are looking to purchase one. Knowing what types of generators are available, what they are used for, and how they work will help make that decision.

Generators are priceless pieces of equipment in the event of a power shortage or failure, and in some cases, can even be life-saving. If you have found this interesting, or would like to know more, why not subscribe to our blog?