Generators and transformers are two types of electrical equipment that are used to convert AC power into DC power. They are also commonly used in homes, factories, and other places where electricity is needed.
Generators and transformers are used to provide backup power during outages or emergencies. They are also used to increase voltage levels in order to supply more current.
A generator converts mechanical energy (usually from a motor) into electrical energy. This type of device is often used to generate electricity at remote locations.
Transformers are devices that step down high voltages to lower ones. These are usually found in large buildings such as schools, hospitals, and shopping malls.
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Generators
A generator produces electric power by converting the kinetic energy of an internal combustion engine into mechanical work. The most common form of this conversion is through the use of a turbine which spins a shaft connected to a dynamo which creates alternating current. Alternating current is the standard for many forms of electrical transmission and distribution.
The simplest form of generator consists of a flywheel attached to a shaft driven by a small gasoline-powered engine. A larger version of this design can be seen in some automobiles.
The second generation of generators uses a gas turbine instead of an internal combustion engine. Gas turbines operate much like jet engines except they have no moving parts. Instead, the air is drawn in at one end, compressed, heated, and then ejected out the other end at a very high velocity. The spinning blades of the turbine create rotational motion which turns a rotor inside the generator.
In addition to being portable, these designs are quiet and produce little pollution. However, their fuel consumption is higher than a conventional diesel engine.
There are several different ways to connect a generator to a load. One method is called series connection. Here, all of the output terminals of the generator are connected together. In this configuration, the generator acts like a single cell battery with a short circuit between each terminal and ground.
If any one terminal becomes damaged, the entire system will fail immediately. Another option is a parallel connection. With this arrangement, only one terminal is connected to the load. When the load demands additional power, the terminals are connected together.
Transformers
Transformer: A transformer is a device that steps down the voltage level of an input signal while increasing the current flowing through it. It accomplishes this by using magnetic fields.
An inductor is placed around the primary winding of the coil. This causes a voltage to build up across the primary winding. Since the secondary winding has fewer windings than the primary winding, the voltage drop across the secondary winding is less than what it would be without the transformer.
The ratio of the number of turns in the primary winding to the number of turns in the secondary winding determines how much voltage is dropped across the secondary winding. The amount of current flow in the secondary winding is determined by the number of turns in both the primary winding and the secondary winding.
Transformer: A transformer is similar to a capacitor but operates over a wider range of frequencies. Capacitors charge or discharge based on frequency. Transformers store energy as potential energy within the magnetic field. As the field collapses, it stores energy back into the transformer.
How do capacitors work?
A capacitor consists of two metal plates separated by a dielectric material. They are charged by connecting them to a DC source (battery) and discharged by disconnecting them from the source.
Capacitor: A capacitor is made up of a pair of conductors separated by a dielectrics material. Capacitance is measured in farads. Farad is defined as the unit of electric charge per volt. For example, 1 farad one coulomb/volt.
What is the Working Principle of Generator?
A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. To understand how a generator works, we need to know about the working principle of a motor.
Motor: A motor consists of three basic elements, namely, a shaft, a commutator, and armature windings. Shaft: A shaft is a cylindrical rod that is attached to a machine’s main frame. Its purpose is to transmit force from the engine to the rest of the components of the machine.
Commutator: A commutator is a flat piece of copper that is mounted on the end of the shaft. It contains many small wires which are wound around the shaft.
Armature Windings: An armature is the part of a motor that generates electricity when it rotates. The armature consists of coils of wire wrapped around the shaft.
As the shaft rotates, the commutator slides along the shaft and makes contact with the armature windings. This causes a continuous flow of electrons through the armature windings, generating electricity.
Generators: A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical power. Generators use the same principles as motors. However, they have a few differences.
The most important difference between a motor and a generator is that a motor uses resistance to convert energy whereas a generator uses magnets to convert energy. In addition, a generator produces alternating current (AC), which can be converted to direct current (DC).
What are the Types of Generators?
In the market, generators come in a variety of types. These include:
- 1. Alternating Current (AC) Generators: AC generators produce a sine wave output at a fixed frequency. Their speed can be varied, depending upon the load connected to them.
- 2. Direct Current (DC) Generators: DC generators produce a steady state output. Their speed cannot be altered.
- 3. Single-Phase Generators: Single phase generators operate at 60 Hz.
- 4. Three Phase Generators: Three phase generators operate at 120 Hz.
- 5. Variable Frequency Generators: VFDs vary their output frequency depending upon the load connected.
- 6. Constant Speed Generators: CSGs operate at constant speeds.
- 7. Dc Motor Drives: DC drives are used for controlling low speed applications.
- 8. Synchronous Motors: Sms are used for high speed applications.
- 9. Stepper Motors: Stps are used for precision positioning operations.
- 10. Servo Motors: Servos are used for precise position control.
- 11. PLC Drives: PLC drives are used for automation purposes.
- 12. Industrial Drives: ID drives are used for industrial applications.
- 13. Hybrid Drive Systems: HDSs are used for hybrid vehicles.
- 14. Brushless DC Motor Drives: Bmdrls DCS are used for brushless dc motors.
- 15. Induction Motor Drives: Imdrs are used for induction motors.
- 16. Permanent Magnet Motor Drives: PMmdrs are used for permanent magnet motors.
- 17. Rotary Converters: Rcvts are used for converting DC to AC or vice versa.
- 18. Power Factor Correctors: Pfcrs are used for correcting the power factor of an electric circuit.
- 19. Voltage Regulators: VRs regulate voltage levels.
- 20. Transformer: Trnsfs are used for step up/step down conversion of voltages.
- 21. Flywheel Energy Storage System: Fessys are used for storing kinetic energy from a rotating mass.
- 22. Battery Chargers: BCrs are used for charging batteries.
- 23. Electric Vehicle Charging Station: EVCSs are used for charging electric vehicles.
- 24. Solar Panels: Spals are used for producing solar power.
What is the purpose of generator transformer?
A generator has two main parts – the rotor and the stator. The rotor is attached to the shaft and the stator is the stationary part. The stator contains coils of wire wound around it. When the rotor turns, the magnetic field created by the winding interacts with the magnetic field of the core and creates an electromotive force. This creates a current in the coil.
The current produced by the generator flows through a secondary winding on the transformer. This is known as the secondary side of the transformer. A primary winding on the other side of the transformer converts this current into another form of electrical energy. This process is called rectification.
The transformer is designed such that the ratio of the number of windings on the secondary side compared to the primary side is equal to the ratio of input voltage to output voltage. For example, if the input voltage is 230 volts and the output voltage is 110 volts then there will be 100 secondary windings and 10 primary windings.
Difference between AC generator and transformer
An AC generator produces an alternating current which is converted to direct current (DC) using a diode bridge. In contrast, a transformer changes the direction of the flow of electricity without changing its amplitude.
What is the importance of transformers and generators in daily life?
Transformers are very important in our lives because they help us convert one type of electrical energy to another. Transformers are used to change the voltage level of any given source of power. Transformers are also used to increase the amount of power available at a particular point. They can also be used to reduce the noise level of electrical equipment.
Generators are used in many ways. Generators can either supply power directly to loads or they may operate as a motor and produce mechanical work. Generators are also used to provide power when the utility grid fails.
What is generator and its uses?
Electrical energy is converted from mechanical energy by a generator. It consists of a spinning wheel connected to a shaft, which rotates due to some external force. As the wheel spins, the attached shaft turns. If the shaft is connected to a flywheel, then the shaft can spin indefinitely.
When the shaft starts turning, a magnetic field is generated. This magnetic field causes a current to flow through a conductor placed near the rotating shaft. Thus, the generator converts mechanical energy into electrical power.
In order to generate more power from the same generator, we need to connect multiple conductors to the shaft. These additional wires act like magnets and create their own magnetic fields. Hence, we get more power when we add more wires.
A typical generator consists of a large drum-shaped steel shell, inside which is a set of iron bars. The bars have slots cut out of them and these slots are filled with copper wire. The entire assembly is wrapped with insulation, creating a cylinder. At the end of the cylinder is a pulley. The pulley allows the shaft to turn freely inside the cylinder.
What happens when the number of turns are increased in AC generator?
As the number of turns increases, the strength of the magnetic field decreases. To compensate for this decrease in strength, the speed of rotation must increase. Since the shaft is fixed, it cannot rotate faster than the speed of the wheel. Therefore, the number of turns in the coil determines the speed of rotation of the shaft.
What is the difference between DC generator and AC generator?
AC Generator: A DC generator works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When an electric current passes through a conductor, a magnetic field is created around it. This magnetic field acts as a magnet and attracts other nearby metal objects. The movement of the metal object creates a voltage across the ends of the conductor.
AC Generator: An AC generator works by means of a rotating armature. The armature has coils wound around it. When the coils rotate, the induced current flows along the length of the armature. The armatures are mounted on a shaft, which is driven by a prime mover such as a steam engine or turbine.
The output frequency of an AC generator depends upon the speed of the rotor. The higher the speed of the rotor, the lower will be the frequency of the output signal. The speed of the rotor is controlled by the speed of the prime mover.
DC Generator: In a DC generator, the current always flows in one direction. The output of a DC generator is always direct current (DC).
The main advantage of using AC generators over DC generators is that AC generators use less energy than DC generators. Another advantage is that AC generators do not require rectification i.e., they do not require conversion of AC to DC. Also, AC generators produce a much cleaner and smoother power supply than the DC type.
How do electric generators and transformers work?
Electric Generators: Electric generators convert mechanical energy into electricity. They consist of two parts, namely the stator and the rotor. The stator is made up of many windings. It is attached to a stationary part called the frame.
The rotor is connected to the shaft of some kind of machine. As the shaft rotates, the rotor also rotates. This motion generates a magnetic field around the rotor. The magnetic field then interacts with the stator winding. As a result, the electrical current starts flowing in the stator winding.
Transformers: Transformer is an apparatus that changes one form of an electric current into another. For example, if we take the primary winding of a transformer, connect it to the positive terminal of a battery and connect the secondary winding to any device requiring a low-voltage source, we can get a high-voltage source from a small battery. If we reverse the connections, we can obtain a low voltage from a large battery.
What is the role of transformers in a power system?
A transformer is used to step down the voltage from a larger source to a smaller load. Transformers are used mainly to provide power to loads that need more power than what can be provided by the utility company’s distribution network.
For example, when you turn on your lights, there is no power available at the socket. However, the light bulbs need only about 12 volts, whereas the standard 120/240 volt power supply might have a voltage of 230 volts. To provide this extra power, a transformer is used to reduce the voltage to something suitable for the bulb.
Another reason why we use transformers is to filter out certain frequencies of the input power. Transformers help us eliminate harmonics, thereby preventing damage to our equipment. Transformers are most commonly used in three-phase systems.
In addition to providing additional power, transformers also protect the equipment against surges of power. A surge occurs when there is a sudden increase in current flow through a conductor. These surges may occur due to lightning strikes or short circuits.
When such a surge occurs, it causes a rapid rise in temperature. Transformers help prevents these surges by reducing the current flow during a surge.
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