How Generators Work
Portable generators are extremely versatile and effective pieces of machinery. They serve a multitude of purposes, are simple to use and are easy to move from place to place. In an emergency, a portable generator can mean the difference between having power, water and heat or being left in the dark. They are essentially a tiny, portable power plant.
Why do you need to know how a generator works if they are simple to use? Handling yourself safely around machinery, especially if they use combustibles like gasoline, diesel or natural gas, is easier if you understand how they work. Electricity is no joke and can become deadly if you aren’t careful. Understanding the basics of how your generator works will go a long way to ensuring your safety.
What Are the Parts of a Generator?
- The Engine
The engine is what takes gasoline and converts it from fuel to energy. The gasoline is injected into a combustion chamber and is ignited with a spark letting piston move and creating mechanical motion. This mechanical motion is what is converted into electricity to power any device you have plugged into the generator. It essentially converts chemical energy (the combustion), to mechanical energy (the piston movement), to electrical energy.
- The Starter
The starter is what allows the engine to fire up. For generators, this can be either in the form of a pull cord or in an electric start button. The starter begins the motion of injecting fuel into the engine and creating the ignition through the use of a spark plug.
- The Alternator
The alternator is what takes the mechanical energy and turns it into electrical energy. A stationary object wrapped in copper wire with an iron core (often called a stator) has a rotating device covered in magnets (called a rotor) rotate around it, creating a magnetic field and an excess of electrons. This is turned into electricity and funneled to the outlets.
- The Tank
Generators run on a multitude of fuels, most commonly gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane. The tank houses the fuel that is to be used to create the combustion that is needed to make electricity.
- The Outlets
This is where the final step takes place. Energy has been transferred from the fuel, through the motor and finally into the outlet for you to use. Outlets come in a multitude of sizes depending on the size of the generator. AC and DC outlets,110 v and 220 v plugs, 15-amp, 30-amp and 50-amp plugs are all commonly found on generators.
Where to Get a Generator?
Now that you know how a generator works, the only thing you are missing is a generator to use! That is where generatorshopusa.com comes in. We have all of your generator needs covered. Simply check out generatorshopusa.com to find the ideal generator for your needs today.