describe how an electric generator is able to generate an electric current. course hero

by Prof. Brooks Ferry DVM 7 min read

How does a generator generate electricity?

Electric Motors 1. Describe the motor effect and the generator effect. The motor effect is when a wire carrying a current creates a magnetic field that can be able to interact with another magnetic field, causing a force that pushes the wire at right angles and the generator effect is when a current is induced in a wire which is experiencing a changing magnetic field while the …

What is the working principle of generator?

8 It is important to understand that a generator does not actually “create” electrical energy. Instead, it uses the mechanical energy supplied to it to force the movement of electric charges present in the wire of its windings through an external electric circuit. This flow of electric charges constitutes the output electric current supplied by the generator.

What is a a generator?

Smaller scale __turbine_____ and generator __Power lines____ can power the house directly Tidal Power Describe how tidal power can be used to generate electricity. Moving water- kinetic turbine MCQ Practice Restate the question and record the right answer. Why is this the correct answer?

What is the difference between an electric motor and generator?

Explain what an electrical current is, and describe the parts of a circuit. An electric current flows in a loop, powering bulbs or other electric COMPONENTS. The loop is an electric circuit. A circuit is made up of various components linked together by wires. The current is driven around the circuit by a power source, such as a BATTERY.

What is an electric generator?

An electric generator is a device that converts a form of energy into electricity. There are many different types of electricity generators. Most of world electricity generation is from generators that are based on scientist Michael Faraday’s discovery in 1831 that moving a magnet inside a coil of wire makes (induces) an electric current to flow in the wire. He made the first electricity generator called a Faraday disk, which operates on this relationship between magnetism and electricity and which led to the design of the electromagnetic generators that we use today.

What is the current that moves from generators through power lines to consumers?

The currents in the individual sections combine to form one large current. This current is the electricity that moves from generators through power lines to consumers. Electromagnetic generators driven by kinetic (mechanical) prime movers account for nearly all of U.S. electricity generation.

What type of generator does not use a turbine?

There are many different types of electricity generators that do not use turbines to generate electricity. The most common in use today are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and internal combustion engines. Solar photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity.

How does a hydroelectric turbine work?

Hydroelectric turbines use the force of moving water to spin turbine blades to power a generator. Most hydroelectric power plants use water stored in a reservoir or diverted from a river or stream. These conventional hydroelectric power plants accounted for about 7% of U.S. electricity generation in 2019.

What type of energy does a generator convert to?

The generator, in turn, converts the mechanical (kinetic) energy of the rotor to electrical energy. Different types of turbines include steam turbines, combustion (gas) turbines, hydroelectric turbines, and wind turbines.

What are the two types of hydroelectric turbines?

There are two general types of wind turbines: horizontal axis (the most common) and vertical-axis turbines. Wind turbines were the source of about 7% of U.S. electricity generation in 2019.

What is the purpose of a turbine generator?

The force of the fluid on the blades spins/rotates the rotor shaft of a generator. The generator, in turn, converts the mechanical (kinetic) energy of the rotor to electrical energy.

How do generators work?

He realized that the above flow of current can be created by moving an electrical conductor in a magnetic field.

What are the components of an electric generator?

The main components of an electric generator are given below. The Frame – the structure. An Engine – the source of mechanical energy. The Alternator – produces an electrical output from the mechanical input. A Fuel System – to keep the generator operational. A Voltage Regulator to regulate the voltage output.

What are the uses of generators?

Uses of an Electric Generator 1 They provide the power for most power networks across cities 2 Small scale generators provide a good backup for household power needs or small businesses 3 At construction sites, before the power is set up, they extensively make use of electric generators 4 Energy-efficient as fuel consumption is reduced drastically 5 Since they give a range of voltage output, they are used in labs 6 They are used to drive motors 7 They are used in transportation

Why were electrostatic generators never used?

Electrostatic generators were never used for generation of commercially significant quantities of electric power due to the following reasons: Due to the difficulty in insulating machines that produced high voltages. Due to the low power rating.

What is the difference between AC and AC generators?

AC generators: AC generators are known as single-phase generators and are limited to 25 kW.

How does water in dams generate electricity?

How does the water stored in dams generate electricity? The water stored in dams contains huge amounts of potential energy stored in it. When the dam gates are opened, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy rotates the shaft of the generators and produces electricity.

Why are generators important?

At construction sites, before the power is set up, they extensively make use of electric generators. Energy-efficient as fuel consumption is reduced drastically.

What is a generator?

Generators are useful appliances that supply electrical power during a power outage and prevent discontinuity of daily activities or disruption of business operations. Generators are available in different electrical and physical configurations for use in different applications. In the following sections, we will look at how a generator functions, ...

What is the source of mechanical energy for a generator?

Engine. The engine is the source of the input mechanical energy to the generator. The size of the engine is directly proportional to the maximum power output the generator can supply. There are several factors that you need to keep in mind while assessing the engine of your generator.

What is the alternator in a generator?

The alternator, also known as the ‘genhead’, is the part of the generator that produces the electrical output from the mechanical input supplied by the engine. It contains an assembly of stationary and moving parts encased in a housing. The components work together to cause relative movement between the magnetic and electric fields, which in turn generates electricity.#N#(a) Stator – This is the stationary component. It contains a set of electrical conductors wound in coils over an iron core.#N#(b) Rotor / Armature – This is the moving component that produces a rotating magnetic field in any one of the following three ways:

How does a generator battery charger work?

The battery charger keeps the generator battery charged by supplying it with a precise ‘float’ voltage. If the float voltage is very low, the battery will remain undercharged. If the float voltage is very high, it will shorten the life of the battery.

Why is hydrogen used as a coolant?

Hydrogen is sometimes used as a coolant for the stator windings of large generator units since it is more efficient at absorbing heat than other coolants. Hydrogen removes heat from the generator and transfers it through a heat exchanger into a secondary cooling circuit that contains de-mineralized water as a coolant.

What is the moving component that produces a rotating magnetic field?

It contains a set of electrical conductors wound in coils over an iron core. (b) Rotor / Armature – This is the moving component that produces a rotating magnetic field in any one of the following three ways: (i) By induction – These are known as brushless alternators and are usually used in large generators.

How much space do you need for a generator?

The National Electric Code (NEC) mandates that a minimum space of 3 feet should be allowed on all sides of the generator to ensure free flow of cooling air. (b) Exhaust System.

How does a generator work?

The information above is a brief overview of how a generator works. The turbine inside the generator rotates from an source of mechanical energy, which causes the copper coil to rotate within a magnetic field, which produces an electric current.

What is a generator?

A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators do not produce electricity on their own, they must first collect mechanical energy from an outside source. How a generator works is easy to understand if you can understand each step below.

How does an armature rotate?

More easily seen from this view, the armature rotates within the generator, with each end moving opposite the other. As one end rotates upward through the magnetic field, the opposite side will be rotating downward, and eventually in a complete circle that is repeated many times.

What is the law of the magnetic field?

This law states that a wire conductor that creates movement through a magnetic field creates an electric current, and that the strength of the current is equal to the rate of change through the magnetic field. So, the faster the copper coil rotates, the more electric current will be created.

What is the job of a rotor?

The main job of the rotor is to absorb the mechanical energy outside the generator, and use it to create rotational motion. The rotor in a turbine generator could be attached to a set of wind turbine blades, a set of reaction or impulse steam turbine blades, hydro-turbine blades, or a gas engine.