About Generators

A generator is a home appliance used to generate electricity when regular power grids fail or in areas where electrical lines do not reach. Generators use liquid fuel such as gasoline, or kinetic, human-powered energy.

History

The basic principles behind an electrical generator were first discovered in the early 1800s by scientist Michael Faraday. However, it wasn't until 1832 that an actual prototype of the modern generator was built. Called a "dynamo," this invention was not just the first generator, but also became the basis of various types of vehicular motors.

Significance

Electrical generators are used significantly in rural areas where utility companies have not yet built power lines. This enables rural residents to use electrical devices that would not otherwise be possible. Generators have also played a significant role in developing countries, as well as in aiding areas hit by natural disasters such as tsunamis or earthquakes. In such instances, generators allow hospitals and first aid relief to operate when power grids malfunction.

Types

Electrical generators can either be powered by fuel (such as diesel or gasoline), or by larger infrastructure in the case of industrial generators. For example, some types of generators operate by converting mechanical energy from wind or water into electricity by harnessing the natural elements in order to run the generator's turbines. This usually utilizes large water turbines or windmills. Some types of generators can even run off of mechanical energy provided by humans (e.g. generators powered by a treadmill or a bicycle).

Features

All generators are made up of a rotor and a stator. The rotor is the spinning section of the generator's dynamo (which creates mechanical energy). The stator is the static portion of the dynamo on which the rotor spins on. This mechanical feature connects to the generator's electrical features by hooking to an armature. The armature is what creates electrical energy from the mechanical generator pieces (the rotor and stator). This electricity is then transferred to a field circuit which moderates the energy and allows home users to plug in regular appliances.

Considerations

Choosing the right generator for home use requires knowing how much electrical power you will need. This can be accomplished by adding the total wattage needs of any appliances you expect to run off of the generator. Once you have the sum total of your wattage needs, select a generator that supplies this amount or more. If a steady wattage output is necessary (such as in cases when you need to run a computer off of a generator), select a generator with a skewed stator. Also check that the generator is UL 2200 listed and has automatic voltage regulation to protect your home appliances and electrical circuits from short circuiting.