How does a Generator Work?

Also see our Generators Buyer's Guide to choosing the right Generator

Electricity is indispensable in modern life, powering everything from household appliances to industrial machinery. While most electricity is produced and distributed through large-scale power grids, industrial, portable and standby generators serve as backups during outages and are vital in remote locations and more urban areas alike. Understanding how a generator works is essential to appreciating its importance and functionality.

Understanding the basics of generators

At its core, a generator doesn't create electricity. Generators convert energy, supplied by various fuels into electrical energy. A generator takes the mechanical/kinetic energy produced by moving parts and turns that into electricity. These moving parts are powered by the fuel that you put into the generator, similar to a car engine.

This process is based on the research conducted by Michael Faraday. In the 1830s Faraday observed that moving a magnet inside a coiled wire creates an electric current. This is the fundamental principle that most modern-day generators are built on.

The role of electromagnetic induction

Electromagnetic induction refers to the process of inducing an electrical current using the aforementioned magnet and coiled wire. The coil is usually made of copper wire which is chosen because it's a great conductor of electricity.

Most generators that you can buy today will move the copper coil around a magnet in order to move the coil through the magnetic field. This will induce the flow of electrons through the wire and it's this we use as electricity.

Generators can't start moving or spinning the coil around a magnet on their own; they need to be fueled in order to do so. This is why we have generators with different fuel types, for example, petrol generators and diesel generators. On a larger scale, we might use flowing water or wind to move the copper coil around the magnet.

Key components of a generator

A typical generator is made up of a number of key components, each playing an important role during the production of generating electricity.

Engine
The engine provides the mechanical energy needed to turn the generator's alternator. The engine is made of a number of different parts, however, the easiest way to imagine it is just like a car engine.

The size and type of the engine vary depending on the generator's purpose and the amount of power it needs to produce. For instance, a small portable generator may use a petrol engine, while a large standby generator might utilise a diesel engine to provide a higher power output.

You may find that some very large industrial generators are designed to contain an engine larger than a car.

Alternator
The alternator, sometimes called the 'genhead' is where the movement or mechanical energy is converted. The alternator contains a stationary part as well as a rotating part. These are often called the stator and the rotor. When the engine is running it will rotate the rotor component while the stator remains still. It's this movement that induces the flow of electrons, or electricity, in the stator's coils

Fuel system
The system is primarily made up of a fuel tank, filter, pump and fuel lines. These work together to fuel the engine so that it can help to create the mechanical movement.

The fuel tank is pretty self-explanatory, it's an enclosure that holds the fuel ready when it's in use. When the generator is in use the fuel pump will start to transport your chosen fuel to the engine so that it can start the internal combustion process.

The fuel lines are how the fuel is transported, whether it's petrol or diesel, the fuel will move through these lines/pipes to the engine.

Voltage regulator
Another very important part of the generator, the voltage regulator will control the voltage level of the electricity produced. The regulator will adjust the amount of current that's produced to make sure that the output is stable and safe. This is necessary because the engine can sometimes run at different speeds and create too little or too much current.

Cooling and exhaust systems
A generator can produce a lot of heat and often, the larger the generator (and engine) the more heat it can produce. Just like your car, a cooling system, be it air-cooled or water-cooled, is necessary to reduce the heat. Similarly, the generator needs to have an exhaust system that will allow the heat to be controlled and expelled.

Lubrication system
Similar to most other mechanical systems that contain moving parts, a generator requires lubrication to reduce the wear and tear of its parts. This also helps to keep parts moving smoothly to aid with recent variations in engine speed.

Types of generators

Whether you're looking for an industrial generator for your commercial property or a household generator, there are a number of options to choose from. You'll be able to choose from different sizes, designs, outputs and fuel types in order to purchase the most suitable product for your use-case.

Portable generators
These are small, typically petrol-powered units designed for temporary use in remote locations or during power outages. They are ideal for powering essential appliances like refrigerators, fans, and lights.

Standby generators
Installed permanently near a facility or home, these generators are designed to automatically provide power during a blackout. They are typically powered by natural gas or diesel and can supply electricity for extended periods.

Inverter generators
Using advanced electronic circuitry and magnetic technology, inverter generators produce cleaner, more stable power that is ideal for sensitive electronic devices like computers and smartphones. They are also more efficient and quieter than conventional portable generators.

Conclusion

Understanding how a generator works not only demystifies this critical technology but also emphasises its importance in modern society. Whether providing emergency power during outages, supplying electricity to remote areas, or ensuring the smooth operation of sensitive devices, generators play an indispensable role in our electrical infrastructure. As technology advances, the efficiency and applications of generators will continue to expand, making them even more integral to our daily lives.

Also see our Generators Buyer's Guide to choosing the right Generator