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An electrical generator makes it possible to change the energy of motion into electricity. They come in all shapes and sizes. They have been adapted to work with many energy sources and in many settings. Different designs have been created for use in different situations. Following is an introduction to a vital piece of equipment.

Michael Faraday discovered the theory that generators operate on. Around 1832 he found that when an electrical conductor is in a changing magnetic field, an electrical current, which is a movement of electrons, can flow through the conductor. Either moving the magnetic field, or the conductor, or both relative to each other can make this work. Most generators use some kind of rotary motion, but linear models also exist. To demonstrate this theory, Faraday built the first generator. It was not efficient at all, but it did work.

Two kinds of electricity are produced. AC, or alternating current, has the direction of electrical flow reverse periodically, commonly sixty times a second. DC, or direct current, always flows the same direction. Different models of generator can produce either kind. Since the electrical grid in most countries uses AC, the power plants connected to the grid produce AC. An alternator is a generator that produces AC.

Cars are an interesting case. Their electrical systems have always been based on DC. Until around 50 years ago, cars generally had DC generators, even though alternators were smaller and tended to last longer. When AC to DC electronics became economically viable, cars switched to alternators.

Power grids are mostly powered by large power plants. They have generators that are mainly driven by steam turbines. The steam is generated by many different means. It could be the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, or natural gas. It could be burning biofuels or waste. It could be geothermal steam from underground. It could be concentrated sunlight in a solar thermal plant. Nuclear reactors make heat from radioactivity and fission.

Gas turbines are directly driven by combustion, there is no steam. They are sometimes used when natural gas is the fuel. Gasoline or diesel internal combustion engines are often used to run smaller generators. Wind power uses the wind’s energy to spin the generator.

Hybrid cars often have a motor-generator. It is much larger than the alternators found in conventional internal combustion cars. When mechanical power is needed, it uses electricity from the batteries to work as a motor. When the internal combustion engine is running, it uses mechanical power from it to make electricity.

Not all generators are equally efficient. Mobile ones such as alternators in cars need to limit their weight, which limits their efficiency to around 60%. Power plant models can be huge, so they are often designed to be around 98% efficient.

There are some models designed to be powered by humans. Bicycle light generators are a common example. Pedal driven models that can make up to 200 watts have been built. Small hand cranked models have been engineered into some appliances such as radios and flashlights. This makes them usable without batteries in an emergency.

Electrical generators are key elements in our civilization. The vast bulk of our electricity comes from them. Our technological way of life would hardly be possible without them.

If you want a gerador de energia, then we could help you. The Grupo gerador is something that is on our list as we specialize in saving energy in households across the world.