Surely, each of us has discovered the truth that having a home electrical network is not a guarantee that the current will be delivered to your house uninterruptedly. And some of us have property in the area where electricity is simply not carried out. In this case there is an output - an electric current generator. This article will discuss how this device works and the criteria for choosing it for your own use.
How does the electric current generator work?
Generally, generators are electrical machines that serve to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The principle of the electric current generator works on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. According to it, in the wire that moves in a magnetic field, an EMF is induced, that is, an electromotive force. The generator uses electromagnets in the form of windings made of copper wire or inductors. When the wire coil starts to rotate, an electric current is produced on it. But this happens only if its turns cross the magnetic field.
Types of electric current generators
First of all, the electric generators produce a constant and alternating current. An electric DC generator consisting of a stationary stator with additional windings and a rotating rotor (armature) serves to create a direct current. Such devices are used mainly at the enterprises of metallurgy, in public transport and sea vessels.
Electric AC generators convert AC power from mechanical energy by rotating a rectangular contour around a stationary magnetic field or vice versa. That is, the rotor generates electric power due to rotation in a magnetic field. Moreover, in the alternator, such rotating movements are much faster than in a constant-current generator. By the way, electric alternating current generators are used for the house.
In addition, generators differ in the form of the source of energy. They can be wind, diesel , gas or gasoline. The most popular products on the market of electric current generators are considered to be gasoline, due to rather simple operation and relatively low cost. In general, such a device is a generator connected to a gasoline engine. For 1 hour of operation such a device spends up to 2.5 liters. True, such a generator is only suitable for an emergency current source, since they can produce a current of up to 12 hours a day.
Gas generator is characterized by endurance and economy. This unit operates both from a gas pipeline and from liquefied gas in cylinders. A good resource of work is a diesel electric current generator. The device consumes about 1-3 liters of fuel per hour, but it is much more powerful and suitable for permanent power supply even for a large house.
Wind power generators are environmentally friendly. In addition, the wind - free fuel. However, the cost of the unit itself is high, and its dimensions are rather big.
How to choose an electric current generator for your home?
Before buying a device, it is important to determine its power. In advance it is necessary to calculate the total power that will be consumed by all your devices, adding a small margin (about 15-30%). In addition, pay attention to the type of fuel. The most profitable are generators working on gas. Economical is a diesel generator, but the device itself is worth a lot. Gasoline power generator is relatively inexpensive, but fuel is consumed more. Also, consider the phase type when buying. Three-phase generators of electric current, working with a voltage of 380 V, are universal. If you do not have a home for three-phase devices, the unit that works with 230V phase is suitable for you.