Power Dictionary / Glossary of Generator & Industry Terms

Discover the essential terms and definitions that power your understanding of generators and electrical systems. Here’s your go-to guide for navigating the world of power generation and backup solutions: General Terms

Alternator: This device converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Amperage: Measurement of the strength or intensity of an electric current in ampere.
Battery Charge Rectifier: This component changes AC voltage from the battery charge windings to DC voltage for charging a battery.
Brush: This graphite or copper made conducting element maintains sliding electrical contact between static and moving element.
Core: Core is the magnetic structure built lamination in the generator.
Cradle: Covering a generator or engine, this metal frame provides extra protection from outer disturbances.
Flywheel: Storing energy in a rotating mass form, Flywheel is a very active substitution of chemical batteries.
Grid: In order to meet the power needs at the grids in different points, a system of power lines and generators, interconnected is used. This is a grid.
Hertz (Hz): Unit of frequency that is equal to one cycle per second.
Ignition Coil: Ignition coil supplies DC voltage to the spark plugs.
Joule: Measurement of electrical energy equivalent to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second.
Kilowatt (KW): Kilowatt is power needed to do work at the rate of 1000 joules per second.
Kilowatt-hour (KWhr): Total number of kilowatts used per hour. Or 3,600,000 joules.
KVA: KVA is kilovolt-ampere and is the unit of apparent power. KVA is used for measuring the power consumption of non-resistive equipment such as motors, computers, and most non-incandescent lighting.
Load: Load is that the amount of electric power used by devices associated to electricity generating system.
Magneto: Built with permanent magnets, Magneto is a special kind of alternator that generates current for ignition in an internal combustion engine.
Off-Peak: A specific period when power demand of a system is comparatively low. Counted from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., from Monday through Saturday and during the whole day on Sunday by NERC.
Off-Peak Rate: This is the rate of cost for power used during Off-Peak periods.
Peak: Measurement of the maximum load that is consumed within a specified time period.
Phase: Phase measures the uniform periodic change in amplitude or magnitude of an alternating current.
Rated Voltage: The specific voltage measurement at which an engine generator set can start functioning.
Rectifier: Rectifier is used for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
Relay: Normally used in control circuits, relay is a switch driven by electricity and rules over contactor by virtue of low amperage contacts.
Rotor: Rotor is the element that on, which the rotating of a generator depends.
Rotor winding: Comprises of all the rotor pole windings and connections.
Single Point of Failure: Single point of failure is a location in a redundant system where a single powers failure results in loss of electrical power to the critical load.
Standby (Backup) Service: 1. Service through a permanent connection not normally used but available in lieu of, or as a supplement to, the usual source of supply.
Standby Power: This is the backup source of electrical energy that remains dormant and starts functioning as soon as a control device instructs it to.
Stator: Stator is the static or unmovable element of a generator.
Stator winding: Comprises of stator coils with their interconnections.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Supplies power automatically and instantly during shortage of power supply. UPS operation is dependent on a primary power source such as the electric utility grid, as it does generate power itself.
Volt: Potential difference between two points.
Voltage: Measurement of electrical potential difference expressed in volts.
Voltage Regulator: By modulating the flow of DC to the rotor, Voltage regulator maintains optimum generator voltage, automatically.
Watt: Measurement of electrical power. One watt is equal to 1 joule of energy per second.
Winding: Winding comprises all the coils of a generator.