A generator is used to refer to a unit that produces energy, using a different type of energy. For example, in steam engines (in the past steam technology was a dominant technology in industry and in engines), the unit that converts heat energy into steam (steam pressure) is called a "steam generator". Today, the common and common use of the word generator is to describe a unit that utilizes kinetic energy to generate electricity.
An alternator is a private case of a generator. As its name implies, an alternator is a generator whose electrical output is alternating current (AC). It is not clear? Not that it's complicated, just need some background on what electricity is and how it is produced. I will try to explain briefly:
The basis for understanding how electricity is generated lies in a theory that defines the relationship between electricity and magnetism, based on the "Faraday Law". A change of magnetic field drags an electric field, and a change of an electric field drags a magnetic field. That is, electricity and magnetism are considered as two aspects of the same force, the electromagnetic force.
The relationship between electricity and magnetism is formulated in the Maxwell equations, according to which: a conductive wire through which an electric current flows produces a magnetic field that envelops the wire in a circular fashion; A conductive wire loop in which an electric current flows produces a magnetic field similar to a magnetic rod; A variable straight magnetic field produces a rotating electric field. These three "rules" may sound a little strange to those who encounter them for the first time, but two simple conclusions can be drawn from them:
If we create a relative motion between a magnet and a conductive wire so that the magnetic field in which the wire is located changes, we will create an electric current inside the wire. This is the principle that enables electricity generation. 2. Using an electric current a magnetic field can be created. This is the principle behind the mechanism of action of an electric motor.
Generation of electricity in a simple generator is based on the creation of a relatively circular motion between a magnet and the coils of a conductive wire. In light of this, in half of each rotation the change in the magnetic field is polar north to south, and in the other half of the rotation the change is back from a south pole to north. The direction of change in the magnetic field that the coils "feel" has an effect on the direction of the electric current generated in them. For this reason, the default of the electrical output of a generator based on rotational motion, is an alternating current that varies according to the sine of the cutting angle of the wire and the magnetic field; Or in other words an electric current that changes its direction in each half cycle of rotation.
Scheme of the principle of operation of the alternator: A magnet located between conductive wires rotates on its axis so that the magnetic field in which the wires are located changes and an electric current is created in them. The source of the chart is from Wikipedia.
When we use the battery as a power source, we get a current supply (Direct Current = DC) - which runs continuously in the same direction. You can read more about the characteristics of alternating current, the advantages and uses of the types of currents, the geometric relationship between the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the electric current, and a good explanation in English about direct current and alternating current.
Although even at IEC power stations the generators are alternators, in common parlance "alternator" is commonly used to refer to the electric current generator in a car. The alternator in the car receives kinetic energy from the engine by a belt that connects the engine shaft to the alternator shaft. The alternating current generated is "aligned" by a diode system so that it can charge the car's battery, which in turn provides direct current to all car systems.
A generator is used to refer to a unit that produces energy, using a different type of energy. For example, in steam engines (in the past steam technology was a dominant technology in industry and in engines), the unit that converts heat energy into steam (steam pressure) is called a "steam generator". Today, the common and common use of the word generator is to describe a unit that utilizes kinetic energy to generate electricity.
An alternator is a private case of a generator. As its name implies, an alternator is a generator whose electrical output is alternating current (AC). It is not clear? Not that it's complicated, just need some background on what electricity is and how it is produced. I will try to explain briefly:
The basis for understanding how electricity is generated lies in a theory that defines the relationship between electricity and magnetism, based on the "Faraday Law". A change of magnetic field drags an electric field, and a change of an electric field drags a magnetic field. That is, electricity and magnetism are considered as two aspects of the same force, the electromagnetic force.
The relationship between electricity and magnetism is formulated in the Maxwell equations, according to which: a conductive wire through which an electric current flows produces a magnetic field that envelops the wire in a circular fashion; A conductive wire loop in which an electric current flows produces a magnetic field similar to a magnetic rod; A variable straight magnetic field produces a rotating electric field. These three "rules" may sound a little strange to those who encounter them for the first time, but two simple conclusions can be drawn from them:
If we create a relative motion between a magnet and a conductive wire so that the magnetic field in which the wire is located changes, we will create an electric current inside the wire. This is the principle that enables electricity generation. 2. Using an electric current a magnetic field can be created. This is the principle behind the mechanism of action of an electric motor.
Generation of electricity in a simple generator is based on the creation of a relatively circular motion between a magnet and the coils of a conductive wire. In light of this, in half of each rotation the change in the magnetic field is polar north to south, and in the other half of the rotation the change is back from a south pole to north. The direction of change in the magnetic field that the coils "feel" has an effect on the direction of the electric current generated in them. For this reason, the default of the electrical output of a generator based on rotational motion, is an alternating current that varies according to the sine of the cutting angle of the wire and the magnetic field; Or in other words an electric current that changes its direction in each half cycle of rotation.
Scheme of the principle of operation of the alternator: A magnet located between conductive wires rotates on its axis so that the magnetic field in which the wires are located changes and an electric current is created in them. The source of the chart is from Wikipedia.
When we use the battery as a power source, we get a current supply (Direct Current = DC) - which runs continuously in the same direction. You can read more about the characteristics of alternating current, the advantages and uses of the types of currents, the geometric relationship between the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of the electric current, and a good explanation in English about direct current and alternating current.
Although even at IEC power stations the generators are alternators, in common parlance "alternator" is commonly used to refer to the electric current generator in a car. The alternator in the car receives kinetic energy from the engine by a belt that connects the engine shaft to the alternator shaft. The alternating current generated is "aligned" by a diode system so that it can charge the car's battery, which in turn provides direct current to all car systems.
