Explain how generators and alternators work, and the similarities and differences between them.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Generators and alternators both produce welding electricity from a mechanical power source. Both devices have an armature that rotates and a stator that is stationary. As a wire moves through a magnetic force field, electrons in the wire are made to move, producing electricity.


In an alternator, magnetic lines of force rotate inside a coil of wire. An alternator can produce AC only. In a generator, a coil of wire rotates inside a magnetic field. A generator produces DC. It is possible for alternators to use diodes to change the AC to DC for welding. In generators, the welding current is produced on the armature and is picked up with brushes. In alternators, the welding current is produced on the stator, and only the small current for the electromagnetic force field goes across the brushes. Therefore, the brushes in an alternator are smaller and last longer. Alternators can be smaller in size and lighter in weight than generators and still produce the same amount of power.