generator

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Alternating-current (AC) and direct-current (DC) generators (top and bottom, respectively). The (credit: © Merriam-Webster Inc.)

Machine that converts mechanical energy to electricity for transmission and distribution over power lines to domestic, commercial, and industrial customers. Generators also produce the electric power required for automobiles, aircraft, ships, and trains. The mechanical power for an electric generator is usually obtained from a rotating shaft and is equal to the shaft torque multiplied by the rotational, or angular, velocity (speed). The mechanical power may come from various sources: turbines powered by water, wind, steam, or gas; gasoline engines; or diesel engines.

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A machine in which mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy. Generators are made in a wide range of sizes, from very small machines with a few watts of power output to very large central-station generators providing 1000 MW or more. All electrical generators utilize a magnetic field to produce an output voltage which drives the current to the load. The electric current and magnetic field also interact to produce a mechanical torque opposing the motion supplied by the prime mover. The mechanical power input is equal to the electric power output plus the electrical and mechanical losses.

Generators can be divided into two groups, alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc). Each group can be subdivided into machines that use permanent magnets to produce the magnetic field (PM machines) and those using field windings. A further subdivision relates to the type of prime mover and the generator speed. Large generators are often driven by steam or hydraulic turbines, by diesel engines, and sometimes by electric motors. Generator speeds vary from several thousand rotations per minute for steam turbines to very low speeds for hydraulic or wind turbines. See also Diesel engine; Hydraulic turbine; Motor; Prime mover; Steam turbine; Wind power.

The field structure of a generator establishes the magnetic flux needed for energy conversion. In small generators, permanent magnets can be used to provide the required magnetic field. In large machines, dc field windings are more economical and permit changes in the magnetic flux and output voltage. This allows control of the generated voltage, which is important in many applications. In dc generators the field structure must be stationary to permit a rotating mounting for the commutator and armature windings. However, since the field windings require low voltage and power and have only two lead wires, it is convenient to place the field on the rotating member in ac generators. See also Electric power generation; Electric rotating machinery; Windings in electric machinery.

A device that produces electric current, usually by rotating a conductor in a magnetic field, thereby generating current through electromagnetic induction. This sort of generator produces an alternating current (AC).

(1) Software that creates software. See application generator and macro generator.

(2) A device that creates electrical power or synchronization signals.

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A machine that converts mechanical power into electric power.

Device used to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.

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Something that produces or causes to exist; a machine that converts mechanical to electrical energy.

• pulse g. — the power source for a cardiac pacemaker system, usually powered by a lithium battery, supplying impulses to the implanted electrodes, either at a fixed rate or in a programmed pattern.

One who, or that which, begets, causes, or produces.

• Electricity and Magnetism - generator: device that uses mechanical energy to produce electric energy; dynamo
• Machinery and Mechanical Devices - generator: machine that creates electrical power
• Electricity and Electronics - generator: machine used to transform mechanical energy into electric energy through electromagnetism
• Working Parts - generator: direct current (DC) generating device

Dansk (Danish)
n. - generator, frembringer, grundtone

Nederlands (Dutch)
stroomopwekker, machine die stoom/gas etc. maakt, degene die iets voortbrengt (b.v. idee)

Français (French)
n. - (Élec) générateur, groupe électrogène, créateur (qn)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Generator, Dynamo, Dampf-/Gaserzeuger, Schöpfer

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ηλεκτρο)γεννήτρια, γενέτης, δημιουργός

Italiano (Italian)
generatore

Português (Portuguese)
n. - gerador (m) (Mec.) (Eletr.)

Русский (Russian)
генератор, производитель

Español (Spanish)
n. - generador, dínamo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - alstrare, generator (tekn.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
产生器, 生产者, 发电机

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 產生器, 生產者, 發電機

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 발전기

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 発電機, 発生器, ガス発生器

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) مولد‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מחולל, דינמו, גנרטור, יוזם, ממציא‬

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