What is an electric generator? What is the flow of electrical charge or “electricity?” These questions and more are the topics of many an electrical engineering class and beyond. A simple definition is that it is a machine or device that creates electric energy by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. An electric generator can be used to create electricity, just as long as there is a continuous flow of electrical power. Otherwise, it will cease to be useful.
How does an electric generator convert mechanical energy into electrical energy? There are basically two forms of conversion: direct and alternating. One type of electric generator uses the process of Combustion and the other uses the process of Voltaic Conversion. Which one uses what process is dependent upon how big the generator is and what it is being powered by.
A small generator, such as a lawn sprinkler, can create enough electricity to light a few candles. While this is generally not enough to run most appliances, it will be sufficient for lighting the lawn. Larger generators are able to run appliances, like personal computers, that need an entire room of continuous electricity. The electricity generated by such generators is often fed into the grid and provided to the local electric company.
Some generators are even built into the homes they power. In countries where renewable fuel are not available or cost too much, these generators are used instead. These use a form of a nuclear reaction to produce energy, much like a fission plant. Instead of damaging the environment, these generators actually help to replenish the resources. The only drawback with this type of generator is that the energy output is limited by the size of the fuel source, so that overloading can occur.
Combustion, the opposite of electricity generation, is another way to create energy. If you have ever seen a fire in a wood pile, you know how easy it is to start one. What is more interesting than the process itself, however, is how the heat created by the fire is converted into electricity. This is usually done with the aid of hot air from a nearby stove or oven. A combination of combustible material and oxygen is used in order to make this process happen.
The main advantage of the above two methods is that they are much cleaner and produce less pollution compared to traditional methods of generating energy. They also cause no harm to the environment, unlike other generators which release smoke and polluting fumes into the air. Generators are also useful for producing emergency amounts of electricity in times of blackouts or extreme weather conditions. At night, for example, when there is not enough light around to do normal power generation, a generator can turn on and provide enough energy to allow lighting and other necessities to continue.
If we want to have something that is as dependable as electricity, we need to be able to rely on it. The use of generators for commercial purposes has been around for quite some time, but it was a new technology that came into prominence during World War II. During this time, planes were being shot down by enemy aircraft in an attempt to destroy them so that they cannot continue their mission. In order to stop the shoot down, the enemy pilots were instructed to switch their planes over to an electrical generator. These electrical generators that took the place of bombs became very popular among the people of that time. Since then, there has been a continuous effort to improve upon this source of power, and today it is used in nearly every field.
Another great use for electrical generators is when you want to have the freedom to take your home with you when you go on vacation. It is often quite a hassle getting electrical equipment to work when you are away from home. With the help of a generator, you can use whatever electrical devices you like while you are on vacation – even those that require cords!