Your Commercial Generator Glossary
Generators
- Backup Generator: Used as a standby energy source to fulfill emergency load requirements when there is sudden loss or shortage of power.
- Diesel Generators: Starts automatically and generators electrical power during power outages.
- Electric Generator: Generates electric power with the help of mechanical energy obtained from an external source.
- Generator: A device that converts chemical or kinetic energy into electric power. The electrical energy is available either in the form of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).
- Genset: A handy power generator used to convert fuel-based power to electric power. Underslung and clip-on gensets are the most widely used.
- Motor Generator: Used to condition or regulate power from a raw power source such as an electrical grid.
- Non-Utility Generator: A non-utility generator is connected to a power grid system to generate electric power, particularly for those not covered by the utility system.
- Stationary Generator: Also known as a standby generator, the stationary generator is used for power backup and can support high power levels for an extended period. It is driven by LP gas or gasoline.
- Turbine Generator: A turbine generator runs on a steam or gas turbine. It generates electric power through electromagnetic forces caused by water, wind, steam, etc.
Terms Related to Generator System
- Air Filter: Filters solid particulates like pollen, dust, and mold in the compressed air.
- Alternating Current: An electric current that continuously changes its magnitude and periodically reverses direction.
- Arc: Discharge of electricity across a gap in a circuit.
- Blackout: Abrupt loss of electric power.
- Current: A flow of electricity caused by the movement of particles.
- Direct Current: An electric current with a unidirectional flow produced by electromagnetic induction or storage battery.
- Diesel Engine: An internal combustion engine within which fuel ignition occurs by heat generated from air compression.
- Distribution: Delivery of lower voltage electricity from a centralized substation to the point where it is needed.
- HVAC system: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
- Grid: An interconnected system of generators and power lines used to meet the power requirements at the grids at different points.
- Load: Amount of electricity used by devices connected to an electric power generating system.
- Off-Peak: A time interval when electricity demand is relatively low. Calculated by NERC, from Monday to Saturday, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., and during the entire day on Sunday.
- PDUs: Power Distribution Units.
- Phase: Phase refers to the distribution of load. It measures the continuous periodic change in magnitude or amplitude of an alternating electric current.
- Peak: A measurement that defines the maximum load consumption within a specified period for each type of generator.
- Rated Voltage: The voltage measurement at which an engine generator set can begin operating.
- Standby Power: Used as a backup source of electricity when the main power source fails. Standby power remains dormant and begins operating upon instruction from a control device.
- Single Point of Failure: A location in a redundant system where a single power failure can lead to electricity loss to the critical load.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A UPS provides electric power instantly and automatically during a power outage. It is used along with a backup generator to avoid power disruptions.
Internal Components and Parts of a Generator
- Adapter: A device that connects equipment pieces that cannot be connected directly.
- Alternator: Also known as the generator end, an alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical power.
- Axles: An axle is a spindle or rod that passes through the center of a wheel.
- Battery Charge Rectifier: An electrical device that converts a battery charge winding from AC voltage to DC voltage for charging a battery.
- Bearings: A bearing allows the machine to operate smoothly by reducing friction between the moving parts and limiting motion to the desired motion rate.
- Brush: It is a conducting element made of copper or graphite, which controls sliding electrical contact between moving and static elements.
- Core: It is the bundle of wires or laminations built in the central portion of a generator.
- Contactor: A contactor is used in control circuits.
- Cradle: The metal frame that covers an engine or generator to provide additional protection from outer disturbances.
- Dynamo: Generates direct current using a commutator.
- Flywheel: Being a substitute for chemical batteries, a flywheel is a heavy revolving wheel-like machine that stores energy in a rotating mass form.
- Hour Meter: It tracks and measures the number of hours a generator runs.
- Ignition Coil: It provides DC voltage to the spark plugs.
- Lubricator: A device that supplies oil or other lubricant into a pneumatic system in metered or controlled amounts.
- Magneto: It is a special kind of alternator that uses permanent magnets to generate current for ignition in some internal combustion engines.
- Relay: An electrically operated switch that controls the contactor by low amperage contacts. Relays are generally used in control circuits.
- Rotor: The rotating or moving part of the generator.
- Skid: A base on which the components of a genset are mounted.
- Stator: The unmovable or static part of a generator.
- Transfer Switch: A switch that automatically or manually shifts an electrical load from its preferred and regular source to an alternative source.
- Transformer: An apparatus for increasing or decreasing the voltage of an alternating current.
- Water Jacket Heater: A setup where a water-filled casing around a device is used to maintain a precise temperature around a piece of machinery.
- Winding: It comprises all the coils of a generator that allow an electric current to pass through them.
Electric Power Units
- Amperage: Measurement of an electric current’s intensity or strength in ampere.
- Hertz (Hz): Generator frequency refers to the number of electrical cycles per second. Hertz is a measurement of generator frequency that is equal to one cycle per second.
- Inertia: It refers to the energy stored in some industrial motors and large rotating generators, which allows them to keep rotating.
- Joule: Measurement of electric power equal to the work done when one-ampere current passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second.
- KVA (Kilovolt-ampere): The unit of apparent power used to measure the electric power consumption of non-resistive equipment like computers, non-incandescent lighting, and motors.
- KW (Kilowatt): It refers to the power required to work at the rate of 1000 joules per second.
- KWhr (Kilowatt-hour): It refers to the total amount of kilowatts used every hour or 3,600,000 joules.
- OHM: Measurement of electrical resistance between two points in a conductor where the application of one volt will push one ampere.
- Pole: The number of three-way electromagnetic winding sets contained in a motor.
- RPM: Revolutions Per Minute.
- Voltage: It is a measurement of electrical potential difference. The standard unit of measurement for voltage expression is a volt.
- Volt: Measurement of electrical potential difference between two points.
- Watt: It is a measurement of electricity. One watt is equivalent to one joule of energy per second.
Abbreviations of Companies and Organizations
- APPA (American Public Power Association): A service organization representing 2,000 U.S. community-owned electric utilities. The organization aims to advance the public policy interests of its members and their consumers.
- CAA (Clean Air Act): A federal law enacted nationally to control emissions and air pollution from mobile and stationary sources.
- CFR (Code of Federal Regulations): CFR is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive agencies and departments of the Federal Government.
- DR (Demand Response): A voluntary PJM (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland) program that compensates end-use customers who reduce their electricity consumption when the grid’s reliability is threatened.
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency): A U.S. government agency created to protect the environment and human health.
- ESP (Emergency Standby Power): An independent source of electricity used to support major electrical systems during power outages.
- NSPS (New Source Performance Standards): These are technology-based standards set by the EPA.
- NESCAUM (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants): These are emission standards implemented by the US EPA.
- PM (Particulate Matter): The total number of liquid and solid particles suspended in air.
- RCRA (Resource and Conservation and Recovery Act): The principal U.S. federal law governing the disposal of hazardous and solid waste.
- RICE (Reciprocal Internal Combustion Engines): It includes all internal combustion engines that convert heat energy into mechanical work using reciprocating motion.
