What is Electrical generator?
[[Image:Portable electrical generator angle.jpg|thumb|A portable generator]] A '''generator''' usually means a machine that makes [[electricity|electrical]] [[energy]]. It has a generator head with wires, spinning inside a [[magnetic field]]. The resulting [[electromagnetic induction]] makes [[electricity]] flow through the wires. Hybrid [[electric vehicle]]s carry a generator powerful enough to make them go. The biggest generators don't go anywhere; they stay in [[power station]]s. Different things can be used to make the generator head spin. Some small ones are cranked by someone's arms or legs. Bigger ones are connected to an [[engine]]. The biggest ones use a [[steam engine|steam]] [[turbine]] or [[hydroelectric]] water power. Some use [[wind power]]. Whatever makes it turn, the generator converts this energy into electrical energy. Some portable generators have an [[internal combustion engine]]. They are harmful when used indoors because they make [[carbon monoxide]]. ==Components== Simple generators have: *a rotor, which is the moving part of the generator *an [[axle]] *a magnet *brushes Some kinds have: *a commutator, which is a switch that reverses the current *a power supply to start the generator ==Related pages== * [[Electricity]] [[Category:Electricity]] [[Category:motors]] {{stub}}