Having a backup generator for your home or business is the first step to ensuring that you’re protected in the event of a blackout or other emergency situation. The next step is making sure that your generator performs optimally whenever you need it by keeping it well maintained. Assurance Power Systems provides installation, repair, and maintenance services for residential and commercial generators, making owning one a hassle-free experience for all of our customers. However, we also feel that it is important that our customers are as informed as possible. More often than not, owners don’t fully understand how generators work and are unfamiliar with certain terminology that our service providers use when discussing repairs. To rectify this, Assurance Power Systems would like to present a glossary of generator terminology, parts and functions for reference below.
Components
Alternator: This part of the generator converts the mechanical energy supplied by the engine into electrical energy to produce electricity
CIS: Cast Iron Sleeve; A lining within the engine that contributes greatly to the generator’s lifetime
Main (Frame) Assembly: The customized structural body and base support system of a generator
Rectifier: The part of the generator that converts alternating current voltage into direct current voltage to charge the generator’s battery
Rotor: The rotating part of the alternator’s electromagnetic system
Stator: The stationary part of the alternator’s electromagnetic system
Vibration Isolators: The rubber lining between the generator’s engine and the main frame of the generator that reduces any vibration produced by the engine
Voltage Regulator: The part of the generator that automatically maintains optimal voltage by controlling the course of direct current to the rotor
Winding: Any coil and coiled interconnections in the generator, its rotor, and stator
Currents
AC (Alternating Current): The electrical current voltage produced by the generator’s alternator that constantly and smoothly fluctuates in a cycle between a maximum positive, zero, a maximum negative, and zero again
DC (Direct Current): An electrical current voltage that only flows in a single direction
Systems
Cooling System: A system that uses a coolant, such as hydrogen, to release or reduce the heat naturally produced in an activated generator
Exhaust System: A system that expels the exhaust gases produced by the generator
Fuel System: The overall piping, ventilation, pumps, injectors, filters, and overflow connectors that link the generator’s fuel tank to the generator’s engine
Lubricating System: A system that maintains the stability and function of the generator’s engine through the systematic release of oil from a pump to lubricate moving parts
Units of Measure
Amperage: The measured potential of an electrical current in amperes
Ampere: The unit of measurement for electrical currents; also called “amp”
Frequency: The number of cycles per second of an electrical system’s alternating current, measured in Hertz
Hertz: The unit of measurement for frequency; one cycle per second
Joule: The unit of measurement for electrical energy that is equal to the energy transmitted when one ampere passes through one ohm in one second
Kilovolt-Ampere: The unit of measurement for consumption of power; written as kVA
Kilowatt: The unit of measurement for power at a generation rate of 1,000 Joules per second; written as kW
Kilowatt Hour: The total number of kilowatts generated per hour; written as kWh
Ohm: The unit of measurement for electrical resistance
Ohm’s Law: The scientific law that explains the direct proportionality of amperage and voltage and the inverse proportionality of amperage and ohms; written as:
Amps = Volts/Ohms
Watts = Volts X Amps
Phase: The measurement of the periodic fluctuation of an alternating current
RPM: The common abbreviation for “rotations per minute”
Volt: The unit of measurement for electromotive force
Voltage: The measured potential of an electromotive force in volts
Watt: The unit of measurement for electrical power, the number of which is equal to the same number of Joules of energy per second
Backup generators are complex machines, but complexity doesn’t have to be confusing. Knowing how to identify when your commercial or residential generator is in need of repair or maintenance can help you increase the lifetime and efficiency of your generator. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a backup generator maintenance review, please call Assurance Power Systems today at 561-806-1920!
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