How do alternators&generators work?
Many old-schoolers are aware that antique cars came with generators instead of alternators that new cars have. However, very few understand how these related, but structurally dissimilar, power-generation devices differ.PurposeBoth alternators and generators work very similarly to electric motors in that they use an electromagnetic field to convert rotational movement to electricity (and vice versa for motors).Basic FunctionIf you move electricity down a wire, the wire will develop a magnetic field. The inverse holds true if you move a wire through a magnetic field; it will create electricity.DifferenceThe key difference between alternators and generators is which part moves and which is fixed. A moving wire coil on a generator is spun inside of a fixed magnetic field; an alternator uses a magnetic field spinning inside of a fixed coil of wire.Characteristics ComparisonA generator must spin very rapidly to produce power, whereas an alternator produces power any time it rotates (no matt
