The invention of the generator traces back to 1831 when the famous British scientist Michael Faraday composed a tube, a wire insulated in cotton. Faraday discovered that the needle of his galvanometer moved whenever he moved a magnet through the coil. This idea was further developed by a French instrument maker, Hippolyte pixii, who created the first magneto-electric generator.
Batteries stayed as the most reliable source of electricity throughout the 18th century until Zenobe Gramme reinvented the generator with increased power and called it a dynamo. Generators are commonly used in every industry as a secondary power source. But in some cases, they are even used as the primary source of power. Generators come in handy in situations where access to power is short and difficult to obtain.
Different Types of Generators
Generators are appliances that can be categorized in various aspects, like size, application, what it runs on, and such. Generally, generators are categorized according to their external energy sources and applications.
Types of Generators Based on External Energy Sources:
- Petrol - typically used in generators used for a short period of time.
- Diesel- is one of the most popular sources of electricity in industrial generators.
- Natural Gas- these types of generators require to have underground access to natural gas. They are considered one of the most environmentally friendly generators.
- Propane- these generators are considered greener alternatives to diesel or Petrol generators. Usually used when natural gas is not an option.
- Others- apart from these commonly used methods, there are other types of generators, such as wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear-powered generators used in power plants.
Types of Generators Based on Applications:
- Portable Generators- are usually used to power small appliances for a household or for other purposes like camping. As the name suggests, these generators are easily movable and usually run on Petrol. The common run time for these types of generators is somewhere between 7 hours to 12 hours. Apart from the usual portable generators, there are also portable generators used for industrial purposes. Most portable generators tend to be loud, and they lack any sound insulation.
- Inverter Generators- are light and compact. These generators can also be considered a type of portable generator, but they are not due to the mechanical working of this type of generator. Inverter generators are mostly used where the generator is needed to power electronic devices. Indeed, inverter generators are preferred over portable generators for this purpose. The electrical output of inverter generators is considered more stable than that of a normal generator. Therefore, making it preferable to operate electronics in.
- Standby Generators- are generators that are not fixed but are not as portable either. They are considered larger units of portable generators commonly used for residential and industrial purposes. Standby generators can run on natural Petrol, diesel, or propane. Standby generators are usually insulated to lessen the noise made and have extra cover to protect the generator against weather and the environmental damages that can happen.
- Industrial Generators- are standby generators on a larger scale. They are usually used as secondary power sources in industrial environments. These environments are generally where there is a constant need for there is high demand for power due to there being multiple constantly running machinery and robotics. Therefore, these generators are made to last for more extended periods of time and to supply vast amounts of electricity constantly. They are also built in a manner that suppresses their noise. They can usually be found in power plants and hospitals.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Generator Fuels
Petrol for Generators
Petrol is the preferred fuel for generators used temporarily and for a short time. This is due to petrol generators being costly compared to the other generators. Petrol generators are available in various sizes and price ranges, which makes them much preferred. But these petrol generators produce lesser electrical output in comparison to diesel or other types of generators. Petrol generators are also preferred because they create less noise than diesel generators and do not emit as much carbon dioxide fumes as contemporary generators. The reason petrol generators are preferred only for short usage is due to their easy breakages due to petrol producing more heat which affects the mechanism of the generator. Therefore petrol is not a good fuel to provide constant energy.
Diesel for Generators
Diesel is usually known as the more expensive fuel type for generators. Even though diesel is quite expensive compared to petrol, they are more efficient than petrol. Since diesel is not as flammable, it is also considered the safest option on the market. Diesel is mostly used in generators intended for longer usage time since it is more efficient and does not heat up much compared to the other fuels. Diesel is also known for its power production, where diesel generates more power than other fuels; this is one of the significant reasons diesel generators are in high demand.
Propane Gasfor Generators
Propane gas is considered one of the most environmentally safe fuel options for powering generators. Propane has the nature in which it can be stored for more extended periods of time. And can be stored easily, which makes it a hassle-free option. But propane is a gas that burns fast. Therefore, it is not one of the more fuel-efficient options. Therefore the owners of propane Gas generators will have to store a lot of propane gas cylinders which is a hassle of its own.
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