Electric Power Generator for Blackout Prevention

An electric generator is a machine for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The mechanical energy can come from a variety of sources. There are hand-cranked generators, generators powered by falling water, wind generators, thermoelectric generators, photovoltaic generators, magnetohydrodynamic generators which extract energy directly from hot gases, and generators coupled to various types of internal combustion engines - gasoline generators, diesel generators, natural gas generators, and propane generators.

How an Electric Generator Works

Virtually all generators function on the electric induction principle discovered by Michael Faraday in the early 1830s. This basically means that if a magnet in close proximity to a length of electrically-conductive wire is moved, the electrons in that wire will be induced to flow, and a current will be produced. The only generators which don’t work like this are electrostatic generators, which are used mainly for scientific purposes.

The first dynamos were developed in the 1800s and represented the first practical devices that could be used to supply electrical power. They revolutionized factories and changed man’s way of life.

Value of Electric Generators

One way in which electric generators have changed man’s life is through their use as power supplies. Residential, commercial and industrial requirements have ballooned so much over the past few decades and have put so much demand on the power grid that in places it’s starting to run at near-capacity loads. This puts wear and tear on its systems, increasing the chances that a breakdown will occur and a power outage will result. Since modern technological society is so dependent on a steady supply of electricity, a blackout of even only a few hours can spell “millions of dollars” worth of lost income, damage and even deaths. If, for example, a hospital loses power, all the patients under life support will die. If a factory stops producing goods, the delay may cost it millions of dollars.

With the increase in blackouts in the past few years, people, businesses and government agencies have taken to buying electric generators as standby generators, waiting to go into action a few seconds after the utility electricity goes out. There has also been an increase in the use of small, light portable generators to furnish power in places not serviced by the electric company.

Generators are classified according to output power, cycle and voltage. Choosing the right one for a job is critical. If the generator is forced to run near its peak capacity, its parts wear out, and its service life is shortened. If it runs at far below its maximum rating, then money is wasted in buying capacity that isn’t used.

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