Generator Definition and 1000 Threads

In electricity generation, a generator is a device that converts motive power (mechanical energy) into electrical power for use in an external circuit. Sources of mechanical energy include steam turbines, gas turbines, water turbines, internal combustion engines, wind turbines and even hand cranks. The first electromagnetic generator, the Faraday disk, was invented in 1831 by British scientist Michael Faraday. Generators provide nearly all of the power for electric power grids.
The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by an electric motor, and motors and generators have many similarities. Many motors can be mechanically driven to generate electricity; frequently they make acceptable manual generators.

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  1. askingask

    Can Spinning a Conductor Between Charged Plates Generate Current?

    If I place a conductor between charged plates, spin the conductor or plates and connect the conductor with terminals, would I generate a current?
  2. G

    How Do I Start Building My Own Generator?

    Hello everyone, I am very new to physics, I'll leave that at that for now. However I came here because I am in the process of coming up with a build for my own generator and honestly I loved electrical engineering just didn't have the ability to pursue it. Now I have been brainstorming and am...
  3. Daveee91

    Maximum combustion chamber pressure and connector rod length

    Dear All. Good evening I work with diesel generatora on board of ships. Our major value that is considered after oh and during the maintenance checks is Pmax - maximum cobustion pressure in combustion chamber. It had to be equeal (~ +- 5 bar between each cylinder). I am familiar with all...
  4. S

    Formula for the average EMF of generator

    I know the formula of emf of generator is ##\varepsilon=NBA\omega \sin (\omega t)##. If I draw the graph of emf against time, the graph will be sinusoidal and if I find the average, the average will be zero. How can the average emf of generator is ##\frac{4NBA}{T}##? Thanks
  5. kingamada

    Gravity Based Electricity Generator

    Hello community, I am currently designing a gravity-based electricity generator and exploring the feasibility of different setups using a 500 kg mass. The core of my project is to harness the potential energy from this mass as it is lowered from a significant height. I am considering several...
  6. Martin Jediny

    B Too much energy -- thought experiment

    1/ Have a closed hydraulic circuit. Two columns of fluid. One hot, one cold, which are connected at the bottom and top. Let's have small heat loss and small hydrodynamic resistance to fluid flow and incompressible fluid. I heat the lower interconnection, I cool the upper interconnection. I have...
  7. rossc12

    Design

    I’m looking at designing a portable propane electric generator that’s light for camping ect’ What ideas on how to improve the efficiency on the alternator and the inverter from dc to could I improve upon or incorporate? Thanks Rosd
  8. Deathz

    Measuring Power output of DC generator

    Hello everyone, I would like to ask some questions regarding my thesis. I have a problem identifying which load I should use to calculate the power output of the small generator. I use an Archimedes screw turbine as the prime mover of my generator, and the water flow is low in my locality...
  9. H

    B Where the extra energy comes from?

    Let's say you've created a very large balloon that doesn't explode in a vacuum and filled it with a gas lighter than air. Next, attach the balloon to a basic electric generator with a very light rope and place the balloon in a vacuum tube. Due to the balloon's weight, it will descend in the...
  10. N

    Why Does Changing Wire Gauge Affect Voltage and Current in a Generator?

    I am building a small generator. 12 - 5/8″ magnets rotating around 9 - 3/4″ diameter, 28-gauge copper enameled wire. Not under load, I am getting 50 volts at 1 amp. But when I increase the wire size to 24-gauge, I am getting 15 volts at .25 amps. I thought amps go up when volts go down.
  11. E

    I need help with this Generator excitation method please

  12. Edy56

    Engineering Thevenin Generator: Maximum Active Power & Calculation

    So I have calculated Zab which is 3-3j (it's correct). Now I have to calculate (Uab)0. This is where I just get completely lost. In my opinion: (Uab)0=E3+I3*R3+Ic1*Xc1+E4 Note: I recognize these currents are not shown in the picture, but based on their indexes and basic logic I hope you...
  13. D

    B Magnetic field and generator power output

    Hi, I am confused about whether decreasing the magnetic field used for a generator could increase the generator's power output. I used four equations: 1. Torque = Force x radius 2. Torque = NIAB (N = number of turns, I = current, A = area of armature, B = magnetic field). 3. emf =...
  14. Kami_Munchkins

    Signal Generator assignment, Multisim results confuse me

    TL;DR Summary: Hi, i'm trying to talk about the results, this is a research assignment so i have no support Hello, so here is the circuit. Its a basic signal generator, My issue is in the practical version, the potentiometer effected frequency, but in the simulation this is not the case... I...
  15. K

    Induction heater using Bicycle Dynamo Generator @ 24 V 60HZ Supply

    I was wondering about the possibility of Induction heater powered by Bicycle Dynamo (alternator/generator) without using any other circuit element. Which means connecting 24 V 50 to 60 HZ AC to Coil with turns around 100 in pancake shape (10 inch diameter ) and Stainless steel plate of 3 mm...
  16. topsquark

    TikZ: Clebsch-Gordon Table Generator

    I did this for some work I'm doing and I thought I'd offer the program in case anyone might want it. (And one little question.) It's a Clebsch-Gordon table generator for addition of quantum angular momentums. The TikZ coding is fairly basic, but it's probably my best TikZ work so far, not...
  17. T

    Ideas welcome on how to attach 2 shafts of different diameters

    I have a motor and a 3 phase generator which I would like to connect together, i.e. let the motor drive the generator and measure it's output. Each have their own type of shaft which do not fit together. I would therefore like to get some proposals, preferably which do not require custom work at...
  18. Manuel12

    Magnets with Halbach array in an AC generator

    As a project, I am demonstrating electromagnetic induction by making an AC generator. The magnets I currently have access to are very strong neodymimium countersunk magnets, but I noticed that they utilise a Halbach array. I am aware that this means the magnet has alternating N-S poles spaced...
  19. F

    Synchronous generator on an infinite bus

    I'm reviewing some subjects that I long forgot and now I'm studying synchronous machines. So, when you change the field current (of the rotor) of s synchronous generator, the result is a change in the magnetic flux, which change the internal voltage (Ea). That will result in a change in the...
  20. P

    Is a Larger DC Motor Needed for Low Wind Speed Power Generation?

    Hello, I am not sure if this is the correct forum. I was torn between Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and I thought I would start here. I have been kicking around an idea for a DIY project and realizing I don't know enough about DC motors to find the parts I need. In this use...
  21. M

    Copper Losses in an Electric Generator

    When I use Ohm's law and other related equations to calculate the heating losses in a generator I get the power output of the generator. I assume I'm using the equations wrong, and I was hoping that someone could help set me strait. I think what I would like to know is what determines the...
  22. J

    I Homopolar generator question: Magnetic “wake”

    So faradays paradox is often depicted as a circular copper disk on a shaft with a donut or toroidal magnet on one or either side of the disk. Spin the disk and magnets together voltage is produced. Since the magnets are rotating along their poles the orientation of the magnetic field compared...
  23. S

    EMF produced by generator of a car

    First I assumed the question asks about max e.m.f so I just used ratio: output voltage = (2500 / 1100) x 12.7 = 28.9 V, but the answer is wrong. Then I tried to use the ratio of the whole formula: $$\frac{\varepsilon_{1}}{\varepsilon_{2}}=\frac{NBA \omega_{1} \sin(\omega_{1}t)}{NBA \omega_{2}...
  24. W

    Electrical Turning a single phase motor into a generator

    Hi I’m a year 12 student and I’m trying to turn a washing machine motor into a generator. In my physics class we have only learned about AC generators using permanent magnets but the motor I’ve got doesn’t have any magnets and I believe that it is called an induction motor? Anyway I’m still...
  25. J

    How are coils arranged in a power station generator?

    Hi, I wanted to know a couple of things regarding the construction of the stator and rotor of a generator in a power station. Firstly, how the copper windings inside the stator are arranged. I understand it’s a three phase winding where each phase has a set of two coils like this: Source...
  26. Twigg

    How is wideband FM implemented on the E4400B signal generator?

    The Agilent E4400B (formerly HP ESG-something) is a <1GHz signal generator. One of its features is that it can take a <10MHz external signal and turn it into frequency modulation on the output carrier signal (like an incredibly wideband VCO). However, the device can also be externally referenced...
  27. T

    VFD harmonics effects on generator set

    I would like to use VFDs for motor sizes ranging from 0.4kw to 15kw. My idea here is to reduce the generator foot print to the lowest possible value. My thinking is that, theoretically, I could use a 25kva generator set to drive a 20hp motor (80% operating capacity) and since the VFD eliminates...
  28. LCSphysicist

    Finding the generator function for 4 variables

    Prove directly that the transformation $$Q_{1} = q_{1}, P_{1} = p_{1} − 2p_{2}$$ $$Q_{2} = p_{2}, P_{2} = −2q_{1} − q_{2}$$ is canonical and find a generating functionSo the first part is easy and can be skipped here. I have some difficults regarding the second part, namely, the one that ask for...
  29. JLBRATCHER14

    Is a 5 Ton Jack-Powered Generator Feasible and Profitable?

    Hi I’m new to this site. Iv had this idea in my head for months and I’ve finally started doing some research to find off if it would be feasible or even work. My idea is to have a 5ton jack powered by a man jacking away or maybe design a electric motor system to pump 2, alternating from one to...
  30. V

    B Generator stator: Copper wire or copper sheets?

    Inside a electric generator. To produce the most electricity catching the greatest number of electrons. Instead of spinning a magnet in front of a copper loop or spinning a copper loop between 2 magnet poles my thinking is flat copper sheets would have more surface area on a single magnetic...
  31. V

    B Magnetic generator multiple poles. Cancel out or short circuit?

    Science project. Real generator. But self made generator multiple magnets. What happens if I spin bar magnets inside a copper wire ring? Instead of rotating 2 separate copper rings inside a magnet that will split different flowing current on to different wires where a brush can join them...
  32. A

    A Finding the Hermitian generator of a Symplectic transformation

    Consider a set of ##n## position operators and ##n## momentum operator such that $$\left[q_{i},p_{j}\right]=i\delta_{ij}.$$ Lets now perform a linear symplectic transformation $$q'_{i} =A_{ij}q_{j}+B_{ij}p_{j},$$ $$p'_{i} =C_{ij}q_{j}+D_{ij}p_{j}.$$ such that the canonical commutation...
  33. R

    Burst period on function generator

    Hi, I am having to refresh my oscilloscope knowledge and am confused about one last function generator setting... Burst period. If I have 1 cycle at say 700 kHz it is 1.43us. If I set number of cycles to 10 then that is 10 * 1.43us = 14.3us time. This is my ON burst. So what is the burst...
  34. F

    I Gamma - A Minkowski Spacetime Diagram Generator

    Gamma is a Minkowski spacetime diagram generator. I probably started this project in August and have been working on it almost full-time since. It will be a free, open-source application. The program can draw all the usual things: axes, grids events, and worldlines, etc. It's easy to create...
  35. donblaho

    B Calculating Flywheel Mass and Diameter for Efficient Generator Drive

    Hi guys! I have a real life physical problem. I need to calculate the mass and diameter of a flywheel made of steel to run generator with parameters: 123 kVA - 98 kWe; Frequency 50 Hz, 400 V, Class F M8 - 674 nM. The better question is, how much (kinetic) energy do I have to input into the...
  36. S

    Can power supplies/adapters be used to clean up dirty generator power?

    I have a portable generator that I use for backup power at my home in case of a loss of power. I understand that the power from these generators is not clean because both the voltage and frequency are not very stable and this is bad for sensitive electronics and may even damage them. I am...
  37. samy4408

    I Why in an electric circuit with only a generator the resistance R=infinity?

    Why in an electric circuit with only a generator the resistance R=infinity? [Newbie's post edited by a Mentor to delete extraneous embellishment]
  38. matthieu1973

    Designing a ripple low PS for DDS function generator

    Hello to all. I am trying to design a ripple free (read as ripple free as possible) power supply (PS) for my DIY DDS function generator. I am (was) in the possession of the hyland 5v to 12v PS which wrecked due to a stupid action on my side, my bad. so i was going to repair it, but i found that...
  39. Haorong Wu

    I How to find the generator of this Lie group?

    Hello, there. Consider a Lie group operating in a space with points ##X^\iota##. Its elements ##\gamma [ N^i]## are labeled by continuous parameters ##N^i##. Let the action of the group on the space be ##\gamma [N^i] X^\iota=\bar X^\iota (X^\kappa, N^i)##. Then the infinitesimal transformation...
  40. A

    How transmission lines deliver (established?) power from generator

    Hello: I'm confused about transmission lines. According to Faraday's Law, what's induced is an emf that depends on how fast the coils spin, or whatever equivalent to a simple model seen on Physics textbooks. Power, however, is then assumed constant when talking about the power loss due to...
  41. R

    Generator winding using diametrically opposed magnet.

    I’d like to build a high speed generator using a diametrically opposed magnet. I’m asking if when using a diametrically opposed magnet rotating on a shaft if the generator coils can simply be a continuous wound loop around the magnet like a electro magnet is wound therefore only requiring one...
  42. M

    Engineering Kirchoff's Law Problem about this Induction Generator circuit

    Hi, Please find attached below the Induction Generator circuit. I have the following parameters: Parameter Value Rs = Rr (Resistance on stator and rotor) 0.2 Ω Ls = Lr (inductance on stator and rotor) 5 mH = 0.005 H p (number of pairs of poles) 2 f (frequency) 60 Hz Vsl (stator line...
  43. Dan78

    Engineering This is a question about a wind turbine generator

  44. piyushverma

    Ansys Maxwell: Transient generator simulation torque fluctuation

    I am working on an axial flux generator design, I consisits of 2 rotors and one stator, there are 6 pole pairs and 9 coils. Here is my simulation setup The three phase windings are connected in star configuration through Maxwell circuit. I created two bands enclosing each rotor and then united...
  45. F

    I Request for Input: 2D Minkowski Spacetime Diagram Generator

    I’m planning to write a 2D Minkowsky spacetime diagram generator tool. At this point, I am looking for help reviewing the specification. I am not looking for help with the implemenation. To be clear, I’ve written a complete specification, but it would be a waste if it was missing features that...
  46. G

    Modifying generator windings to convert output from 220V to 55V.

    Sirs, I have two honda clone 2.5KW/220VAC gasoline generators, one with AVR and another with Capacitor excitation. I want to modify alternator windings of one of them so that it can directly output around 55VAC which shall then be rectified and use it to charge 48V batteries. I have fair...
  47. jeverez

    Engineering Generator Output: 20 Coils, 9 Turns, 120V to 12000V?

    if 20 turns coils at 9 each produce 120volt will turning the 9 coil 200times increase voltage to 12000volt
  48. A

    Is There Still a Market for Mechanical High Power DC/AC Generators?

    Hello, back in the day motor-generator sets were far more frequent before the advent of high power semiconductors etc. So they were used for many applications where a variable frequency high power was necessary or a purely DC output was needed. There were even some special generators that could...
  49. M

    I Dependency of phase space generator to differential distributions

    I attatched an example plot where I created the histogram for the differential distribution with respect to the energy of the d-quark produced in the scattering process. My conception is that the phase space generator can "decide" how much of the available energy it assigns to the respective...
  50. C

    350W car power inverter vs tiny generator

    I need to power a 350W thing inside the car. And I googled about it. What I learned was that there was a 100W fuse inside car lighter jacks so you can't run a 350W inverter. So I have some questions. 1. If you remove the 100W fuse and put a 400W fuse. Can the 350W power inverter sucked up the...
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