How Do Electric Generators Work? | Generator Service in Florence, SC
Electrical generators are backup machines that come in handy mostly during an emergency. They are the best source of electricity when the power from the main grid is cut off because of any malfunction. This is why many hospitals, offices, and industrial buildings have standby generators available all the time.
Generators come in all sizes and shapes depending on the application. If you are looking to power a small cabin or your camp at a picnic, then you can get a small portable generator. Generators are as small as a typical American living room. Despite their size, they can power the whole factory in case of an emergency or they can be the primary source of electricity.
There are many different types of electrical generators available in the market when it comes to their source of energy. These generators can run on natural gas, diesel, propane, and some can even run on bi-fuel.
Electrical generators require frequent check and service just like a car engine in order to assure its proper operation. So, if you have a standby generator at your home or workplace then make sure it gets regularly checked through a good generator service in Florence, SC.
How Do Generators Create Electricity?
Electrical generators are like a magic box. They take in fossil fuels and somehow convert that into electricity. But in reality, there is no magic behind this process. To understand this phenomenon, you simply need to be familiar with basic physics.
The electricity is never ‘created’ by the generators. It is simply a result of the energy conversion process that takes place inside the generator. The generator consists of an engine that uses a fuel as a source to produce power. However, power that is created by this engine is mechanical energy. The generator then converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy by capturing the power of motion. This electrical energy is then directly sent to the desired location through copper wire connection. Basically, a generator works in differently from an electric motor.
We should all thank one man regarding the existence of electrical generators. That man is Michael Faraday. All the modern generators follow Faraday’s principle of electromagnetic induction. This principle states that electrical charges are created through the movement of the conductor inside a magnetic field.
To make sure your generator at home keeps on working properly as mentioned above, call generator service in Florence, SC, for regular inspections.
Different Parts of an Electrical Generator
Electrical generators might seem like really complicated machines but they are not that different than an automobile engine. These generators are made up of 6 major parts:
1. Engine
The engine is the only power source inside the body of an electrical generator. This is exactly like the one you find in a vehicle. However, there is no transmission attached to it, and it doesn’t have to be as light as in a moving vehicle. This allows the designer to create powerful and stiffer engines for the generators without having to worry about its weight and other factors.
Electrical generators use different types of engines as their main energy source. Some of these engines produce energy by using gasoline, while others use diesel. Other fuel sources include natural gas or even propane.
The power of engine determines how much electrical energy a generator can produce. So take good care of the engine of your electrical generator through maintenance by a good generator service Florence, SC.
2. Alternator
If you have ever owned an automobile, then you might be familiar with what an alternator is. An alternator is a device that is used for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The alternator is attached directly to the moving part of the engine to collect the energy and the transform it.
The alternator inside a generator is also called a “genhead”. It features moving and stationary parts in order to create electromagnetic field. This electromagnetic field then excites the electrons, which then start to move. This process creates electricity.
Next time you call for generator service in Florence, SC, make sure the alternator is working fine.
3. Fuel System
The fuel system inside an electrical generator is also that different from a fuel system of an automobile. The fuel system consists of a tank, a pump, and a fuel pipe that delivers the fuel directly to the engine. A fuel filter also exists in the system to filter out debris from the fuel. Finally, the injector pushes the oncoming fuel directly into the combustion chamber to power the engine. Therefore, emphasize the maintenance of the fuel system whenever you call a professional for regular generator service in Florence, SC.
4. Voltage Regulator
The main purpose of a voltage regulator is to control the voltage level of the electrical energy produced by the generator. It can also convert an AC to DC if required.
5. Cooling and Exhaust System
Just like an automobile, the engine inside the generator also needs a good cooling and exhaust. Unlike in a car, the engine in the generator sits in one place. This means that it requires a significantly bigger cooling system. Exhaust system is simply installed to let out all the fumes created by the burning fuel.
It is necessary to keep the cooling system of your generator well maintained through regular generator service in Florence, SC.
6. Battery Charger
The battery charger is a device that has one purpose only and that is to charge the onboard battery of the generator. The battery inside a generator is used for starting it. Therefore, it is important to keep it charged all the time.
If you are looking for generator service in Florence, SC, then there is no better place to contact than Mister Sparky Myrtle Beach. We are a South Carolina based generator service company. We provide service in many areas, such as Myrtle Beach, Horry County, Georgetown, Marion and Dillon, SC.