Types of Generators and Its Applications

Generators are gadgets that are used as an alternative to the current supply. They are also used to meet power demands in industries like road construction, mining, offshore drilling, outdoor filming, event management, etc. Generators produce electric energy as current and voltage by using the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate electricity. Here, we will learn about the basic types of generators, generators based on their purpose, fuel used, and discuss some important questions.

Key Terms: Generators, AC Generator, DC Generator, Solar Generator, Energy, Fuels, Power, electric energy, voltage, electromagnetic induction

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What is a Generator?

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A generator is basically a device that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy (which can be from coal, oil, natural gas, wind, water, nuclear processes, or other sources). The generator continues to rotate when we apply torque to it. It is because of mechanical energy, rotational mechanics occur. We gain electricity because of this motion. It is based on the concept of energy conservation. The generator, according to the law of conservation of energy, does not produce energy; rather, it converts one kind of energy into another.

Generator

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Working Principle of a Generator

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Electromagnetic induction is the basis for electric generators. A conductor coil (a copper coil wound tightly onto a metal core) is rapidly rotated between the poles of a horseshoe-type magnet. An armature comprises a conductor coil and a core. The armature is rotated by connecting it to a shaft of a mechanical energy source, such as a motor. The mechanical energy required can be supplied by engines that run on fossil fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and so on, or by renewable energy sources that are not permanently installed, making them easy to start.

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Uses of a Generator

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Uses of a generator are as follows:

• Generators are beneficial in places where there are frequent power outages, such as residences, shops, and workplaces. They serve as a backup to guarantee that the appliances are not left without electricity.
• Electric generators serve as the principal source of power in remote places where electricity from the mainline is unavailable.
• Electric generators can power machinery or tools on project sites where electricity is not available from the grid.

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Types of Generators

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• AC Generators
• DC Generators

AC Generators

It is also called Alternator. It is a method of generating electrical power in a variety of locations. Since everyone nowadays uses air conditioning. Its operation is based on the electromagnetic induction law. There are two types of AC generators: induction and synchronous.

AC Generators

Advantages of an AC Generator

• Cost-effective.
• In the office, it's ideal for compact and electrical gadgets because it requires less maintenance.

Read Also: Difference Between AC and DC Motor

DC Generator

A DC generator turns mechanical energy into direct current electricity. Separately excited and self-excited DC generators are the two main types.

1. Independently excited: Its field coils are powered by an external DC source.
2. Self-excited: Its field coils are powered by the generator's current.

There are three different types of self-excited DC generators. – (a) Wound in series Shunt-wound (b) b) A compound wound is a wound that has multiple layers.

DC Generator

Advantages of a DC Generator

• The design is straightforward.
• Large motors are driven.
• The voltage is steady.

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Types of Generators based on their Purposes

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They are classified based on their purposes. The uses of these generators are intimately interwoven.

• Portable generators
• Inverter generators
• Standby generators
• Industrial generators
• Induction generators

Portable Generators

Portable generators are extremely handy and are used in a wide range of situations. It is lightweight, safe to operate, dependable, and soundproof, and can be placed outdoors. They are available in a variety of power combinations to meet a variety of applications. When grid electricity fails because of natural catastrophes or calamities, portable generators come in helpful.

Portable Generators

During planned or unplanned power outages, they provide power. They're better suited to home use and smaller business establishments like retail stores and shops, as well as building sites.

Read Also: Electric Flux

Inverter Generators

Installing an inverter generator is the best option if you want low-energy output and a small, silent functioning gadget. Instead of running at full throttle all the time, an inverter generator electronically adjusts the engine's movement to meet electricity demand. The nicest aspect of using such a device is that you won't have to worry about running out of petrol.

Inverter Generators

Standby Generators

Standby generators are designed to automatically turn on when the grid goes down. Residential flats, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and business facilities with grid power can benefit from these.

Industrial Generators

Generators are used differently in industrial settings than they are in-home or small commercial settings. Industrial or large commercial generators must be more durable and resistant in order to work in hostile environments. They must also be able to deliver a wide range of power supply characteristics, ranging from 20 to 2500 kW, 120 to 48 volts, and single-phase to three-phase. These generators are usually more specialized than regular generators. Industrial equipment comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Also Read:Electromagnetism 

Induction Generators

Externally excited generators and self-excited generators are the two forms of these devices. Regenerative braking applications in hoists, cranes, elevators and electric trains are all made possible by externally excited generators. Self-excited generators are used in wind turbines, which transform wind as a non-traditional source of energy into electricity.

Induction Generators

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Types of Generators based on the Fuel Used

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These are some of the most frequent and popular types of generators, each with its own set of features, attributes, applications, benefits, and drawbacks.

1. Gasoline Generators
2. Diesel Fuel Generators
3. Propane Gas or Vapour Generators
4. Biodiesel Generators
5. Emulsified Diesel Generators
6. Natural Gas Generators
7. Hydrogen Generator
8. Solar Generators

Also Read: Lenz’s Law

Gasoline Generators

It's among the finest generators because it runs on gasoline and is cheap. They are small in size and are excellent for power models.

Gasoline Generators

Pros

• They are highly cost-effective.
• They are incredibly portable, allowing you to move them around as needed.

Cons

• They emit a lot of pollution.
• They produce a lot of unwanted noise and irritating sounds.
• In cooler conditions, they do not start well or efficiently.

Diesel Fuel Generators

Diesel generators, also known as diesel gen-sets, run on diesel fuel, which is one of the least combustibles of all the fuel sources. Among all generator fuel kinds, it provides the highest energy per gallon. It is a good choice for residential standby generators or commercial generators because it is reliable and easily available. When used for large operations over a long length of time, diesel generators function best. It should only be used in the open air. When properly stored and without extra stabilizers, it can last up to a year.

Diesel Fuel Generators

Pros

• They are extremely long-lasting and durable.
• They are really simple to start, even in freezing weather.

Cons

• They emit harmful fumes that endanger the environment.
• They are not well adapted to wet regions.
• Diesel fuel has a 24-month shelf life and is expensive to store in enormous volumes.

Also Check: Electromagnetic Induction

Propane Gas or Vapour Generators

Propane is a type of liquefied petroleum gas and is the fuel that people often choose to power generators. A propane generator is referred to as a mechanical generator that is used for the purpose of electricity generation. Here, electricity is created by converting motorized power from the combustion of propane into electrical energy.

Pros

• Low-emissions
• Compared to diesel and gasoline generators, they have a longer shelf life.
• Cleanly combust
• It's simple to store in any amount.
• In the event of a power outage, it is readily available.
• Cost-effective and long-lasting
• In chilly conditions, it starts quickly.
• The operation that is quiet

Cons

• Because propane is highly flammable, even explosive, it is stored under pressure.

Biodiesel Generators

Biodiesel is produced by combining diesel with biological sources such as vegetable oil or animal fat. This is a one-of-a-kind generator that can run on gasoline or diesel and has a natural gas connection. This product should not be used inside.

Using biodiesel-fuelled generators helps to avoid harmful blackouts of increased pollution and emissions. These generators can almost remove the byproducts that cause smog, ozone, and sulfur emissions. When these generators are used in residential areas near schools, hospitals, harmful carbon monoxide is significantly reduced.

Biodiesel Generators

Emulsified Diesel Generators

Emulsified diesel is a mixture of diesel fuel and water that has been combined with a mixer.

Pros

Emits fewer pollutants and uses fewer fossil fuels than regular diesel.

Cons

It, too, has a two-year shelf life, and keeping the right water-to-diesel ratio is difficult, especially in fast-paced work conditions.

Also Check: Class 12 Physics Chapter 6 Electromagnetic Induction

Natural Gas Generators

This is one of the most efficient and extensively utilized power and electricity generation methods. Fuels for home standby generators are the most cost-effective and easily available. Per gallon, it is less energy efficient than diesel, gasoline, and propane. Refueling is not required because the gas is delivered through natural gas pipelines. It is the most convenient solution for home and business generators because it does not require storage. Indoors, it should never be used. Power interruptions normally have no effect on supply.

Pros

• They are silent and do not create any disruption.
• They burn cleanly and produce minimal waste.

Cons

• They do not have the same longevity as diesel generators.
• Because of their connection to existing gas lines, they have substantial installation expenses.

Hydrogen Generator

A hydrogen generator is a machine that uses electrolysis to create hydrogen from water.

Hydrogen is used in these generators because it is extremely abundant (particularly from water sources). It is non-toxic, clean, inexpensive, and produces more energy per pound than any other fuel.

Solar Generators

These generators are fascinating because they utilize the sun's radiant energy to generate electricity. Solar generators primarily function by capturing energy from the sun through the use of solar panels. The battery charged with sunlight is then used to generate power. The time it takes for solar generators to full charge is the most critical factor to understand. These generators require nearly eight hours of direct sunlight to charge fully.

Pros

• They are quiet and make no annoying noises.
• They are ideal for applications with modest electrical needs.

Cons

• They are extremely slow in charging their batteries to full capacity.
• When compared to fuel-powered generators, they are prohibitively expensive.

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Types of Utility Generators

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1. Welder Generators
2. Vehicle Mounted Generators
3. PTO Generators
4. Two Bearing Generators
5. Mobile Towable Generators

Welder Generators

This generator has one unit with welding capabilities. It comes in mobile diesel and portable gasoline versions.

Vehicle Mounted Generators

For mobility, the electric generator can be mounted on vehicles. For instance, in an emergency, construction, mining, or the oil field.

PTO Generators

Power Take-Off (PTO) generators are mobile equipment that generates power by using the engine of a vehicle. PTO generators, which are commonly used in agriculture and by emergency services, offer power to employees in locations where electricity is not available. This type is utilized in fields or commercial areas and is paired with tractors or any crane for portable power generating.

PTO Generators

Mobile Towable Generators

This generator has a switchable voltage function and is utilized in a variety of voltage applications. These diesel-powered generators are employed in the manufacturing and construction industries.

Also Read: Induced electromotive force and current

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Things to Remember

• Generators produce electric energy as current and voltage by using the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate electricity.
• AC Generators, DC Generators are two basic types of generators.
• Portable generators, Inverter generators, Standby generators, Industrial generators, and Induction generators are the types of generators based on their use.
• Gasoline Generators, Diesel Fuel Generators, Propane Gas or Vapour Generators, Biodiesel Generators, Emulsified Diesel Generators, Natural Gas Generators, Hydrogen Generators, and Solar Generators are types of generators based on their use of fuels.
• Welder Generators, Vehicle Mounted Generators, PTO Generators, Two Bearing Generators, and Mobile Towable Generators are the types of generators based on their utility.

Also Read: Uses of Inductor

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Previous Year Questions 

1. Two identical circular coils A and B are kept on a horizontal tube side by side… [KCET 2013]
2. Faraday's laws are consequence of conservation of… [NEET 1991]
3. The number of Faradays(F) required to produce 20g of… [NEET 2020]
4. If a transformer of an audio amplifier has output impedance 8000 0 and the speaker has input impedance…...[JCECE 2005]
5. A conducting loop in the shape of a right angled isosceles triangle of height 10cm is kept such that the …..[JEE Advance 2016]
6. A 10m long horizontal wire extends from North East to South West. It is falling with ……. [ JEE Main 2019]
7. If a current of 2.0A A flows through the smaller loop, then the flux linked with bigger loop is…… [JEE Main 2013]
8. A coil of cross-sectional area A having n turns is placed in a uniform magnetic field B….. [JEE Main 21018]
9. A copper rod of mass m slides under gravity on two smooth parallel rails ….. [JEE Main 2018]
10. A copper wire is wound on a wooden frame, whose shape is that of an equilateral…. [JEE Main 2019]
11. A metallic rod of length ll is tied to a string of length 2l and made to rotate with angular speed…. [JEE Main 2013]
12. A square frame of side 10 cm and a long straight wire carrying current 1 A are in the plane of the paper…. [JEE Main 2014]
13. If the rod makes n rotations per second, then the time averaged magnetic moment of the rod is… [JEE Main 2019]
14. Figure shows a circular area of radius R where a uniform magnetic field….
15. In a coil of resistance 100Ω , a current is induced by changing the magnetic flux through it….. [JEE Main 2017]
16. When current in a coil changes from 5A  to 2A…. [JEE Main 2015]
17. Which radiation in sunlight, causes heating effect? 
18. X -rays are….
19. Arrange the following in decreasing order of wavelength
20. Which is having minimum wavelength...[NEET 2002]
21. The speed of radio-waves is equal to….. [JIPMER 1998]
22. Gamma rays and visible light waves rays are a,ba,b and cc respectively, then….[UPSEE 2016]
23. the circular loop of wire is moved with velocity towards the infinite current carrying wire…… [VITEEE 2016]
24. A conducting wire frame is placed in a magnetic field which is directed into the paper…...[VITEEE 2019]