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An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. On the contrary electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Electric motors and generators have many similarities, generator forces electrons in the winding to flow through the external circuit. The source for generating mechanical energy can be a reciprocating or turbine, an internal combustion engine, a wind turbine or a motor that is capable of generating electricity using some energy source like diesel or kerosene. Many types of electric motors can be run as generators, and vice versa. For example a starter/generator for a gas turbine or Traction motors used on vehicles often performs both tasks.
Source: Wikipedia.org
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoMotors and generators are similar inthe sense that they are both electrical machines which have been built to take advantage of the physics of electromagnetism.
Some electric motors - but not all types - can be made to generate electricity and some generators - but not all types - can also be made to work as electric motors.
There is also a difference between a type of generator that is called a dynamo and an alternator: what most people call a generator on a car today is actually an alternator.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAbsolutely. In fact, they are quite the same thing. It all depends on whether or not the device is supplying power to a system (a generator) or power is being applied to the device from the system (a motor). They work in the exact same way, even with the equations. The motor just has a negative power out as compared to a generator.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA generator and a motor are a lot alike. The difference is one produces electrical energy and the other uses electrical energy. Wiring diagrams are similar; how they work is similar. One has electricity flowing out of it and the other has energy flowing into it.
I don't know how much detail you are looking for but I will add these details.
In a motor, electrical energy is supplied to coils, causing a magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field of a magnet, which causes one or the other to turn, depending on how it is designed. If you have ever used a magnet to push another magnet across a table you see the same principle at work, one magnetic field causing another magnetic field to move a physical object.
In a generator, an external force (often an engine or turbine) is applied to turn the coils or magnet, depending on how it is designed. The coils passing into and out of the magnetic field of the magnet produces a magnetic field in them which causes electrons to flow.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoWhen a motor turns, it creates a magnetic field. A magnetic field can also produce an electrical field. This power can be used to produce electricity.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoBecause SOME motors can act as generators when driven. Not all motors.
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What does the mitochondria do for an animal cell?
It oxidize glucose to generate energy.It act as a power generator.
What is the job of a mitochondria in a animal cell?
It oxidize glucose to generate energy.It act as a power generator.
How does mitochondria do?
It generates energy through respiration.It act as a power generator
Would a copper wire act as the best insulator of electric current?
no it is good conductor because it has free electrons
What does vacuoles act like?
The vacuoles in a cell act like the gas tank on a car because it is like the storage room in a cell.
Can a motor act like an electric generator?
when the motor runs more than rated speed it produces leading current and results act as a generator. (or) the motor act as generator when it produces more back e.m.f
What is the main difference between an electric motor and electric generator?
An electric generator converts mechanical energy to electric energy while a motor converts electric energy to mechanical. A generator can actually act as a motor if it losses whatever is making it spin (called "motoring"), which is usually a very bad thing. Motors may be used as generators as well, depending on their design.
When you supply mechanical energy as input to the motor what will happen?
Then the motor will act as generator by principle
How does a generator act like a motor in syncronization process of disel generator?
this case called (reverse power ) and happen when there is a phase difference between parallel generators and results in passing a circuilating currents from the higher voltage one to the other which result that one to act as a motor
What type of converter is required to act a sedc motor as a generator?
single phase fully control converter
Does an electric generator generates electricity?
A Generator consists of wiring wound around a rotating armature that is spinning between magnets that produce a magnetic field. This produces electric current by exciting the free radical electrons in the atoms that make up the wire, forcing them to move in one direction. It is identical in design to a DC motor. As a matter of fact, aircraft have a starter/generators that act as electric motors that turns the jet's engine to start them running. After the jet engine starts, it in turn rotates the starter/generator so it acts like an electric generator to produce electricity for the aircraft. Likewise, modern diesel train engines use what is called a Regenerative Braking System that incorporates generators into the process of braking, thus converting momentum into usable electricity.
What is reactive braking?
This applies to electric or gas/diesel-electric vehicles. An electric motor can be instantly converted to an electric generator when polarities are switched. So, when you want your electric car to slow down or stop, you could have the motor suddenly turn into a generator. If the generator has very high electromagnetic flux, then it will act as a brake, and the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into electric charge in the battery.Hence, reactive braking actually "saves" the kinetic energy for future use. Gravity Reactive Braking involves using a special ratchet for wheelchairs and stationary machinery, in which the kinetic energy is rapidly converted into potential energy; the basic principle is similar to a steep ramp, used to slow down a rolling cart.Sometimes "reactive" braking means the brake system is mechanically designed to engage under certain conditions, such as excessive RPM.
How does an generator produce electricity?
A Generator consists of wiring wound around a rotating armature that is spinning between magnets that produce a magnetic field. This produces electric current by exciting the free radical electrons in the atoms that make up the wire, forcing them to move in one direction. It is identical in design to a DC motor. As a matter of fact, aircraft have a starter/generators that act as electric motors that turns the jet's engine to start them running. After the jet engine starts, it in turn rotates the starter/generator so it acts like an electric generator to produce electricity for the aircraft. Likewise, modern diesel train engines use what is called a Regenerative Braking System that incorporates generators into the process of braking, thus converting momentum into usable electricity.
What is some examples of long range force?
Long range forces are forces that act over a long distance, like electric forces, magnetic forces, or gravity.Long range forces are forces that act over a long distance, like electric forces, magnetic forces, or gravity.Long range forces are forces that act over a long distance, like electric forces, magnetic forces, or gravity.Long range forces are forces that act over a long distance, like electric forces, magnetic forces, or gravity.
When was the Staggers Rail and Motor Act passed?
Staggers Rail Act and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980
Non-directional over current relay?
The synchronous generator when act as a motor that relay is operated. or reverse power relay is acted. mainly it sence thet direction of power flow direction
What is the difference between an electric motor and an electric generator?
HOW ARE ELECTRIC GENERATORS DIFFERENT THAN MOTORS? There is no fundamental difference between an electric motor and an electric generator or dynamo. In normal use, all motors behave as generators, and all generators behave as motors. DC Motors act like generators because they use less electrical energy when allowed to spin fast. DC generators act like motors because they become easier to spin when less electrical energy is drawn from their terminals. For example, connect two small DC magnet motors together. Then if you spin the shaft of the first motor, the second motor's shaft will start spinning too. One acts as a DC generator, and the other acts as a DC motor. Or, spin the second one's shaft, and the first one will start spinning. Another example: If you connect a small DC motor to a small battery, then an electric current will appear in the motor's coils, and the motor starts spinning. But if you spin the motor's shaft slightly faster than the normal speed, the direction of current in the circuit will reverse, and the battery starts taking in energy from the motor. The motor has become a generator, and it's recharging the battery. Here's a good way to visualize what's happening. Imagine two pulleys connected by a rubber drive-belt. If you spin the first pulley, it pumps the belt into motion, and the second pulley starts spinning. Ask yourself this: which one is the generator? Answer: both and neither. A pulley is just a pulley. Of course we can *force* a pulley to behave like a motor: let the pulley rub against a moving belt, and the pulley will start spinning. Or we can turn it into a generator: turn the pulley, and the belt will be forced to move. In electric circuits the wires contain a circular "belt" made of electric charges (the electron-sea within the metal.) And as with the pulleys, the "belt" inside an electric circuit will slowly move along just like a leather belt. (You cannot see individual electrons, so when crowds of electrons start moving inside the wires, you cannot see any motion.) Or pretend that you have two water pumps which are connected together with hoses. Fill the pumps and the hoses with water. Now, when you turn the first pump, the pressure inside the "water circuit" drives the second pump into motion. This shows you that all pumps are motors, and all motors are pumps. It just depends on for which purpose they're employed. COILS AND MAGNETS Here's a simple electrical experiment which shows what's happening with motors and generators. Get two coils of wire wrapped on hollow plastic spools. Connect their wires together. Get two powerful bar-magnets and place the end of each magnet inside each spool. Now if you jerk one magnet suddenly, the other magnet will feel a kick. What happened? By suddenly yanking the first magnet, the first coil created a voltage because of "Lenz-Law Induction." This voltage caused all the charge in both coils to begin moving along. That created a magnetic field in the second coil, which gave the second magnet a kick. Motors and generators are based on this phenomenon. AC MOTORS AS GENERATORS But what about AC motors? And what about DC motors which use a "field coil" but no permanent magnets? If you spin either of these, a voltmeter will show no voltage. It's because you aren't using them correctly. To act as a generator, an AC motor needs to be connected to a power grid or to a large-value capacitor. And a DC field motor needs to be connected correctly (series-wound motors must be shorted, while parallel-wound motors must be left open.) And finally, these types of motors can only generate a voltage/current if they're spinning FAST. It takes awhile for tiny initial currents to build up. When no permanent magnets are present, and all you have are moving coils and pieces of metal, it takes current to make current. The current and voltage gradually build up because of a positive-feedback process, and this process doesn't kick in until the motor's shaft is turning faster than a certain speed. MODERN MOTORS DISCOVERED ACCIDENTALLY The modern DC motor was not designed as a motor. In the middle 1800s, inventor Zenobe Gramme was trying to build an electric generator which gave a very smooth output voltage. He did this by using many coils with overlapped fields. Because of it's smooth DC output, such a generator could replace large banks of batteries being used at the time. In 1873 one of his assistants accidentally connected two of his generators together. The first generator was being spun by a steam engine, and the second one unexpectedly started spinning like a motor. The "Gramme Machine" has been used ever since, under the name "DC motor" or "DC generator."
