What Are the Types of Electric Generator?

Electric generators are, actually the lifesavers. They are backup power sources that convert fuel supply usually propane, diesel or gasoline, into electrical energy. They are the primary sources of electrical supply during power outages. This energy is used in an external circuit.

Direct current generators

The dynamo was the first electrical generator capable of delivering power for industry. The dynamo uses electromagnetic induction to convert mechanical rotation into direct current through the use of a commutator.

Homopolar generator

A homopolar generator is a DC electrical generator comprising an electrically conductive disc or cylinder rotating in a plane perpendicular to a uniform static magnetic field. A potential difference is created between the center of the disc and the rim (or ends of the cylinder), the electrical polarity depending on the direction of rotation and the orientation of the field.

MHD generator

A magnetohydrodynamic generator directly extracts electric power from moving hot gases through a magnetic field, without the use of rotating electromagnetic machinery. MHD generators were originally developed because the output of a plasma MHD generator is a flame, well able to heat the boilers of a steam power plant.

Alternating current generators

Alternating current generating systems were known in simple forms from Michael Faraday’s original discovery of the magnetic induction of electric current. Faraday himself built an early alternator. His machine was a “rotating rectangle”, whose operation was heteropolar – each active conductor passed successively through regions where the magnetic field was in opposite directions.

There are three main types of generators: portable, inverter and standby.

Portable generators: Portable generators provide electricity by running a gas-powered engine. That turns an onboard alternator to generate electrical power. A typical portable generator contains the following primary components assembled together onto a metal frame in a single unit:

1. Internal combustion engine

2. Alternator

3. Starter

4. Fuel tank

5. Outlets

Inverter Generator: An inverter generator uses an engine connected to an alternator to produce AC power. It also uses a rectifier unlike other generators to convert the AC power into DC power.

Standby Generator: A standby generator comes on when the grid goes down. Within seconds of a power outage, the standby generator automatically comes on and sends power to appliances and light sockets in the home. The best choice is a standby generator. With gas- or diesel-powered generators, there’s a lot of setups after the power goes out and you’ll need to store extra fuel in case the power is out for days rather than hours. Meanwhile, it's taking up valuable space in the garage or backyard shed and posing a fire hazard.