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Glossary of Generator Terms
- Alternating Current (AC)
- Current which varies from zero to a positive maximum to zero to a negative
maximum to zero, a number of times per second, the number being expressed in
cycles per second of Hertz (HZ).
- Alternator
- A device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
- Amperage
- The strength or intensity of an electric current, measured in amperes (AMPS).
- Battery Charge Rectifier
- A component which changes AC voltage from the battery charge windings (withinthe
STATOR) to DC voltage. This voltage could be used to charge a battery.
- Brush
- A conducting element, usually graphite and/or copper, which maintains sliding
electrical contact between a stationary and a moving element.
- Conductor
- A wire or cable designed for the passage of electrical current.
- Contactor
- A contactor is an electrically operated switch usually used in control circuits
and whose contacts are considered high amperage compared to a relay.
- Core
- The laminations in the generator constituting the magnetic structure thereof.
- Cradle
- The metal frame that surrounds and protects the generator/engine.
- Current
- The flow rate of electricity.
- Cycle
- One complete reversal of alternating current of voltage, from zero to a positive
maximum to zero to a negative maximum back to zero. The number of cycles per
second is the frequency, expressed in Hertz (HZ).
- Diode
- A solid state device which allows current to pass in one direction only.
Since it allows only one half cycle of an alternating current pass, its output
will be unidirectional and it may be considered a rectifying element.
- Direct Current (DC)
- An electric current flows in one direction only. DC is produced by chemical
action (i.e. a storage battery) or by electromagnetic induction.
- Dynamo
- A machine for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic
induction - a generator.
- Electro-Motive Force (EMF)
- The force which causes current to flow in a conductor; in other words, the
voltage potential.
- Full Power Outlet
- Enables you to draw the full power of the generator out of one outlet.
- Generator
- A general name for a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical
energy. The electrical energy may be direct current (DC) or alternating current
(AC).
- Ground
- A connection, intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit and
the earth or some conduction body serving in the place of the earth.
- Idle Control
- A system that controls the idle speed of the engine in direct relation to
the electrical load.
- Ignition Coil
- A device used to supply DC voltage to the spark plugs.
- Magneto
- An alternator with permanent magnets used to generate current for ignition
in an internal combustion engine.
- Ohm
- Unit of electrical resistance. One volt will cause a current of one flow
through a resistance of one ohm.
- Phase
- The uniform periodic change in amplitude or magnitude of an alternating current.Three
phase alternating current consists of three different sine wave current consists
of three different sine wave current flows, different in phase by120 degrees
from each other.
- Power Transfer System
- A system to safely wire your generator to your home's electrical system.
- Rated Speed
- Revolutions per minute at which the set is designed to operate.
- Rated Voltage
- The rated voltage of an engine generator set is the voltage at which it is
designed to operate.
- Rear Bearing Carrier
- The casting which houses the rotor bearing which supports the rotor shaft.
- Rectifier
- A device that converts AC to DC.
- Relay
- An electrically operated switch usually used in control circuits and whose
contacts are considered low amperage, compared to a contactor.
- Resistance
- Opposition to the flow of current.
- Rotor
- The rotating element of a generator.
- Single Phase
- An AC load, or source of power normally having only two input terminals if
a load or two output terminals if a source.
- Stator
- The stationary part of a generator.
- Vibration Mount
- A rubber device located between the engine or generator and the cradle to
minimize vibration.
- Volt
- The unit of electromotive force. That electromotive force which when steadily
applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm will produce a current of
one ampere.
- Voltage
- Electrical potential difference expressed in volts.
- Voltage Regulator
- A component which automatically maintains proper generator voltage by controlling
the amount of DC exitation to the rotor.
- Watt
- Unit of electrical power. In DC equals volts times amperes. In AC equals
effective volts times effective amps times power factor times a consistent
dependent on the number of phases. 1 kilowatt - 1,000 watts.
- Winding
- All the coils of a generator. Stator winding consists of a number stator
coils and their interconnections. Rotor windings consist of all windings and
connections on the rotor poles.
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