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by tt010101 on October 11th, 2006

tt010101

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How does a generator work?

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  • by bbumgarner on October 11th, 2006

    bbumgarner

    It depends on the type of generator.

    But, for the sake of brevity, let us consider a diesel generator.

    The typical diesel generator is simply a diesel engine -- sometimes a common engine such as a tractor motor -- that drives a device very similar to a car alternator.

    An alternator works by creating a magnetic field that rotates such that the field passes through a set of coils. As the field passes through the coils, an electric current is induced on the coils. This electric current is then regulated to become the electricity made available on the generator's output.

    For very small generators, the magnetic field may be produced by permanent magnets. For larger generators, the field is generated by a set of coils.

    A generator does not necessarily have to be driven by a diesel engine. A hydroelectric plant has the same alternator style generators (really big ones) that are rotated by water flowing past.

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