Generator Glossary
by Generac Portable Products
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 (within the 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 out put 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
by 120 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. |
