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Generators and alternators both convert mechanical energy from a car's engine into electrical energy. Generators were used until around1970, when they were replaced by the alternator, which is used in cars today.
Alternators and generators work through the process of electromagnetic induction. This means that a changing magnetic field, if applied to a coil of conductive wire, will produce a current. Conversely if a current is applied to a coil of wire, it will produce a magnetic field.
In automobiles, generators are connected by a pulley to the drive shaft. This pulley spins a coil of wire, called the armature, inside of a magnetic field. Electricity is created that can be used to power the car's electronics.
Alternators work in a similar way to generators. The main difference is that in an alternator the armature is static and the magnet is rotated to produce the current.
While generators produce a direct current (DC), alternators produce an alternating current (AC). This means that power generated by an alternator must be converted to DC before it can be used.
The amount of current produced by a generator depends on how fast the engine is running. Alternators have an easier time producing maximum current, since the heavier armature is fixed and the lighter magnet is rotated. Alternators can power most of a car's electronics, even if the engine is idling, which is the main reason they are used in automobiles today.
In Generator Filed is stationary(Permanent Magentic Poles) & Armature is rotating.So at synchronous rpm, according to Pole Frequency is set & Alternating Voltage is produced in Rotating Armature. By the use og Commutator brushes/ Rotating Diode we convert ac in dc.
But in case of Alternator it is just opposite i.e DC field is rotating & Armature is stationary.At synchoronous rpm Rotor( roting field) emf will cut the statot(armature) conductor & emf is produced.
Interestingly Both will convert mechanical rotation in Electrical Energy.
An alternator is a device that converts mechanical energy into AC electrical energy. A generator is a mechanical device which converts mechanical energy to either AC or DC electrical energy. An alternator always induces an alternating current. A generator can generate either alternating or direct current
An alternator is an electrical machine which generates AC supply which is generally installed at Large power stations for electricity Generation,wher as a Generator is also an electrical machine in which by arranging proper supply extracting mechanism (Slip rings ..Brushes/Commutator) we can obtain DC/AC supply as per requirement.
Generator and alternator, both have the same working principle. Basic difference is that the three phase AC Generator is known as an ALTERNATOR. Simple
An alternator can be called a type of generator. ... Both alternators and generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The main difference between them is in regard to what spins and what is fixed. In an alternator, electricity is produced when a magnetic field spins inside the stator (windings of wire).
Generators are in small capacity and alternator are in large capacity.
The difference basically lies in the design; what spin and what fixedin generating electricity
In Alternator the stator (main winding)is fixed, while the field (pole winding) is rotating. But in a generate the the field winding is static while the main winding is rotating.
The difference of Generator and Alternator is the Generator needs engine to convert mechanical energy to electrical energry. But the Alternator is used by the engine to generate it's electricity.
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