What is a Generator?: The Blueprint for Power

The history of generators can be traced back through Michael Faraday&#;s discovery of electromagnetic induction, Werner Von Siemens&#; dynamo and Nikola Tesla&#;s induction motor. A generator provides electrical power and electrical generators housed in power plants provide nearly all the power for today&#;s electrical grids. 

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A subset of generators is the engine-generator (sometimes called a genset or generator set) which combines an engine and a generator. A genset (often, and hereafter, referred to as just a generator), provides electricity independently of the grid. As a result, they play a critical role in today&#;s power mix.

A modern HIPOWER genset housed in a soundproof enclosure.

Functions and Uses of a Generator

Electricity is the lifeblood of contemporary society. Virtually every business and home requires a steady supply of power to function reliably. After all, electricity is what we use to power lights, computer equipment and electronics as well as our HVAC systems. Still, electrical power is a commodity that is often taken for granted because massive power grids make electricity readily available.

However, the municipal power supply is vulnerable to failure due to several factors, including:

• Inclement Weather

• Computer Malfunctions

• Human Error

It&#;s also important to understand that some businesses, such as mining outfits or new community developments have to operate outside the realm of the power grid. Such problems illuminate the primary functional advantage of a generator, which is to supply primary or backup power.

Benefits of Generators

Generators provide an important role for many homes and businesses, including hospitals, medical facilities, computer and data centers and construction sites. A few of the common benefits include:

• Provide backup power in the event of an electrical grid power outage

• For businesses, generators are a sound investment and protect a company against power outages and brownouts which would otherwise incur substantial financial losses, security risks and, in the case of hospitals and medical facilities, loss of human life

• Provide power to tools and equipment at remote sites where grid infrastructure is unavailable

• Improve safety in homes and businesses by keeping the HVAC systems functioning

• Can be stand-alone or connected to buildings in addition to the municipal power grid

• Produce savings that will exceed its purchase price over time thanks to their extreme durability

• Produce savings by switching to backup generator power in times of peak grid demand and prices

Generator Parts

Generators have a few essential parts that help turn gasoline, solar energy or diesel fuel into usable electricity for commercial, residential, industrial and municipal buildings. While generators do not require a lot of maintenance, it&#;s important to understand the major components in case certain replacement parts are needed or general maintenance is required.

• Alternator &#; Component that turns the mechanical energy into electricity

• Battery Charger &#; The battery and charging system needed to start the generator

• Control Panel &#; The switches and buttons that control the operation of the generator

• Engine &#; Primary generator component. Usually powered by diesel fuel or natural gas

• Fuel System &#; The storage tanks and hoses that route the gas or diesel fuel to the engine

• Voltage Regulator &#; Control the amount of voltage produced by the system and converts A/C current to D/C current

A Caterpillar D industrial diesel engine.

How Does a Generator Work? Understanding the Mechanics

In order to understand the mechanics of the power generator, we need only take a broad look at the properties of energy that govern the world around us. Everything that moves, glows or hums, whether organic or manmade, does so by converting one type of energy into another. The human body converts food and nutrients into physical energy. A radio converts electric currents into sonic energy. Even the vast supply of electricity that is available to the public is generated from other sources; for example, the Hoover Dam converts the gravitational pull of water (hydropower) into electrical power for the entirety of Las Vegas and its surrounding areas. Gas and Diesel generators work under the same simple principle. They turn mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Generators Work A Lot Like Cars

The manner in which a generator operates is very similar to that of an automobile, and the mechanical components work in much the same fashion. Like your everyday car, a generator uses a heavy-duty, recharging battery to initiate and maintain its basic level of energy. The generator is also equipped with a fuel tank that supplies its engine with the needed resources to produce mechanical power. Many generators even run on the same fuels used in automobiles, although there are more options available. Smaller household varieties often operate on gasoline, but larger industrial generators typically have diesel engines or natural gas engines. Regardless of its fuel type, the engine works in concert with an alternator. This alternator houses electrical conductors which react to the engine&#;s mechanical energy and convert it into useful electrical power.

Understanding Gas and Diesel Generator Electrical Outputs

A generator&#;s output of electrical power is measured in kilowatts. This is another term that is familiar but struggles to convey any concrete meaning to most people. So what exactly is a kilowatt? In order to understand this concept clearly, we must simplify the measurement:

1 kW = watts1 watt =1 joule per second

Reducing this even further:

1 joule = 1 ampere passing through 1 ohm for 1 second

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In simple terms, an ampere is a measurement of electrical charge and an ohm is a measurement of resistance. A joule is the amount of work it takes for a charge to pass through the particular level of resistance. To conceptualize this measurement of energy, it may be helpful to envision tiny bolts struggling to push through a magnetic field. In a generator, the mechanical energy entering the alternator causes an electromagnetic reaction, resulting in an alternating current (AC) which is released as electricity. This is why the plugs on household electronics are referred to as AC adaptors.

As you may have deduced, the more charges (amperes) that are able to pass through the field of resistance (an ohm) per second, the more powerful a generator will be. This is why industrial generators are quite large&#;they allow for a great number of kilowatts to be generated in order to supply the necessary amount of power to large buildings or heavy machinery. It is imperative that people shopping for a generator, whether it is intended to be a backup or a primary power source, make sure they choose a product large enough to fit their individual energy needs.

Generator Applications

Some common and critical applications for generators include:

• Supply extra power during times of high demand

• Supply power in areas where the electrical grid does not exist

• Ensure constant power for critical environments, like hospitals, laboratories and medical facilities

• Provide backup and supplemental power for data centers and Internet hosting providers

• Provide essential power for construction sites located in metro and rural areas

• Provide essential power for marine operations

• Supply mobile power for large worksites or rural areas that need temporary power

• Supply supplemental power for telecom systems

• Supply critical power in disaster areas after storms

For more information, see some of the industries we serve for power generation, as well as some everyday uses of generators.

Types of Power Generators

Generators are typically classified according to fuel type and portability although they can be categorized across many other variables. The three basic types of generators include:

• Diesel Generators &#; Operate using diesel fuel, highly efficient and reliable operation and power. Usually, medium and large-sized generators that can be used to power buildings and large equipment

• Natural Gas Generators &#; Operate using natural gas. Great for small operations where extra power is needed.

• Portable and Mobile Generators &#; Generators that are located on trailers and/or have wheels and can easily be moved from one location to another. Typically operate using gasoline or natural gas but can be powered by diesel.

Generator Maintenance

While generators are relatively simple devices that need little maintenance, they do need certain types of maintenance. We recommend generator owners implement a preventative maintenance plan and get inspections and repairs as needed.

Preventative Maintenance 

Preventative maintenance involves checking for worn parts and proper operation before the generator experiences problems. This can include items like making sure the fuel hoses are clear of debris, not kinked and supplying the correct amount of fuel to the engine of the generator. It may also involve lubricating the moving parts in the generator and making sure all electrical connections are tight and that electrical components are not corroded or damaged.

Generator Inspections and Repairs

When a generator malfunctions or doesn&#;t supply any power, it&#;s time to get it inspected and repaired. Common items that need to be replaced and repaired include the fuel hoses, engine, control panel, voltage regulator and battery and battery charging system. The good news is that all the components of a generator can be either repaired or replaced so that reliable supplemental or backup power can be restored.

To learn more about our generators and generator service, give us a call at 713-434- or get in touch via the contact form.

There is no doubt that the use of power generators is fundamental part of the mining industry, and with the immense amount of revenue generated by the mining industry, the use of generators is a very important element within that trade. Whether it is coal, gas, iron ore, or precious metals, mining is a key element of the world economy. But, mines must have a dependable source of power, which is a crucial resource in the mining processes. Power generators account for a majority of the energy used to run various equipment of the mining industry. The large drills and shovels, as well as excavating machinery, all run on diesel generators. Many of these generators are in the form of huge land roving trucks that help to extract the minerals and other items and then transport them. In most cases, these gigantic generators can haul over 300 tons of material at one time. 

Mining extracts the earth's natural materials to provide energy to the world. It is a business that is absolutely essential to the success of our global economy. Without the help of power generators, the job of extracting the fuel that powers the world would take much longer to accomplish and would require a lot more manpower and money to operate efficiently. In other words, without electricity at mining facilities, the natural materials extracted from the earth in the mining process would be much more costly than they are today.

Electric power generators provide a lot of muscle, capacity, and stability to an essential industry. From drilling trenches to busting up rock, carting out huge loads of materials and pulling up heavy amounts of coal, generators provide the strength and capability needed to get the job done. As for the heavy and large equipment that is used, diesel generators are still the power-generation equipment of choice in the mining industry.

In the absence of reliable power, power generating systems are a neccesity for the people and machines at the worksite, who rely almost exclusively on electricity to do their work. The power generation equipment will ensure that any other equipment that needs electric power to run, continues to work as designed. In these remote areas not serviced by a main electricity grid, the electricity generated from a portable power generator becomes the lubricant that keep all operations running smoothly. There are multiple hazards of working inside the mines, even before you consider the challenges of working with electricity safely. When using portable power generators inside the mines, it is important for the mining company to have a professional help them install and maintain the equipment to make sure for the safety of their employees. The mining and mineral extraction sector worldwide relies heavily on portable power generators to harness natural resources such as aggregates, precious metals, iron ore, oil, gas, and coal. At times, the power generators are used to power shovels and drills for excavating these products and to load them into enormous mining trucks or onto conveyer belts that also operate off the generators. Both surface and underground mining operations rely on powered equipment to extract materials and load trucks. Overall, the mining sector could not flourish without the use of the power generators.

Electricity powers underground mining machines, drives giant above ground drag-lines and even runs the small jack hammers used in one-person opal mines. If you are in the mining industry and you need expert assistance in setting up a diesel power generation system at your mining operation, give us a call. We would be happy to help. We have helped many mining companies around the country and around the world with setting up and maintaining their power generation equipment, to keep their mining operations running smoothly.

There are plenty of reasons why electric power is sometimes lost. Generally, it is weather related and due to severe storms tormenting a particular region. At times however, power outages can be caused when the local electric companies are unable to meet the demands of the general public. But after power has been out for many crucial hours, people begin hoping that they had invested in a portable power source, such as a generator. One can only survive on peanut butter, crackers and tuna for so long. For most people, electricity is supplied by utilities or electricity corporations from power stations, via supply networks called grids. These main grids provide electricity to the majority of the population. This would not be the case if you worked at a mining site far from any city. In most instances, remote work sites such as mines are usually not serviced by the main grid and must rely on portable power generators to provide them with electricity they need for their operations.

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