AC
Alternate Current
Alternating electrical current.
Air Cooled Engine
Engines that are cooled by air. These engines have no radiator.
Air Filter
A device that separates dust and dirt from the incoming combustion air supply to the engine.
Alternator
A machine that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.
AMF
Automatic Mains Failure
An electronics control system that monitors and detects when the main electricity supply fails and automatically starts the generator, switching the supply source. When the main electricity supply is restored it switches the supply back and stops the Generator.
Ampere
A unit of electrical current.
Ampere Meter
A Meter that reads the ampere output on each phase of a Generator at any point in time. There are generally three Ampere Meters in each Generator panel.
Analogue
In general: older electronic method used in control and measuring systems. An analog or analogue signal is any variable signal continuous in both time and amplitude. It differs from a digital signal in that small fluctuations in the signal are meaningful.
ATS
Automatic Transfer Switch
A switch that is controlled by the AMF mains detection system, and changes automatically between the Grid supply and Generator supply.
Automatic Start
Automatic start of a generator that is controlled by an electronic system.
AVM
Anti Vibration Mounting
A rubber, neoprene or spring part that isolates the vibrations created by the engine from the remainder of the generator assembly.
AVR
Automatic Voltage Regulator
An electronic device which is attached to the alternator and maintains a steady voltage output at different loads and different engine speeds.The device also automatically maintains a steady output voltage by controlling the excitor.
Balancer
A round piece of metal, generally with a liquid inside that allows smooth and balanced running of the engine.
Base Load
Rating for generators that work nonstop from service to service. Generally, base load is 90% of Prime Power. (Please see manufacturers' recommendations).
Battery
Electrical storage cell. Provides current to electronics control systems and the starter motor when starting the generator.
Block
The main engine body.
Brushless
Alternators that produce electricity without brushes.
Chaneg Over Switch
Mechanical breaker that changes the electrical connection from grid supply to generator and vice versa.
Charging Alternator
AC alternator that supplies current to the battery.
Circuit Breaker
Disconnects the current between source and users.
Conductor
An electrical cable that is used for current transfer.
Conrod
Metal bar that connects the Piston with the Crankshaft.
Conrod Bearing
Bearings between the Crankshaft and the Conrods.
Contractor
A switch for transferring high current. Controlled electronically and electrically.
Crank Shaft
The main shaft in the engine.
Current
A general name for electricity flow.
Cylinder head
Top iron bar on top of the engine block.
DC
Direct Current
Unvarying direct electrical current.
Digital
In general: new electronic method for control and measuring systems.
Diode
Electric device that allows current to flow in one direction only.
Distribution
The electricity grid or local board that distributes the electricity from the substation to the users.
Double Bearing Alternator
Alternator with its rotor lying on two bearings one at each end of the driven shaft
Fan
A device with revolving blades, for producing a current of air to cool the engine radiator.
Flexible Pipe
A piece of flexible pipe between the engine and the exhaust to absorb vibration.
Flywheel
A rotating mass that enables the engine to work smoothly
Fuel Filter
A device that separates dirt from the fuel supply to prevent clogging.
Fuel Injector Pump
Pump that supplies fuel at high pressure to the injector nozzles.
Fuel lift Pump
Fuel pump that lifts the fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel filters and then to the injector pump.
Gasket
Metal, rubber or other materiel seal that prevents oil, water, air or fuel to leak.
Generator
Machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Grid
The electrical network that supplies mains or bulk electricity to the public and to industries.
Ground
A connection between an electrical current source and the earth.
High Voltage
General name for voltage between 2000 to 60000 volts.
HP
Horse Power
Unit for measuring the rate of work of an engine or motor.
Hz Hertz
A unit of frequency. Equal to one cycle per second.
Hz Meter
Meter that reads the electricity frequency.
Ohm
Unit of electrical resistance - The amount of resistance overcome by one volt in causing one ampere to flow.
Oil Filter
A device that separates dirt and metal pieces from the engine oil.
Oil Gauge
Indicates the oil pressure in the engine.
Oil Pump
Pump inside the engine that circulates and maintains the pressure of oil for all the moving parts within the engine.
Phase
The uniform periodic change in amplitude or magnitude of an alternating current. There are three phases in 120 degrees from each other in a generator.
Piston
The main moving item that creates the engine power by moving within a cylinder in order to compress gas.
Portable Generator
Small generator, generally up to 10 KVA, that can be moved from place to place by hand carrying.
Power Generator
A general name for generators from 15 KVA and above.
Prime Power
Rating for generators that work 2000 to
4000 hours a year on a variable load with a load factor of 70% (varies from engine to engine).Prime power Generators can be operated at 110% of rated output for one hour in every 12 hours.
Radiator
A device that cools the engine's hot water.
Rings
Round metal rings between the piston and cylinder wall of an engine.
Rotor
The rotating part of an alternator.
RPM
Revolutions Per Minute
The number of complete turns that a rotating component such as an engine or alternator achieves in 60 seconds.
Selector Switch
Switch to select different modes of operation or that enables an operator to check the voltage or amperes on each one of the electrical output phases. Only provided on three phase Generators.
Silencer
A system that reduces the exhaust noise.
Single bearing Alternator
Alternator with its rotor lying on one bearing at the back or non drive end of the drive shaft. The front end is coupled directly to the engine flywheel.
Single Phase
Source of power that is created by connecting one phase and zero.
Stand By
Back up generator that begins operation
manually or automatically when the main grid fails to supply current.
Stand By Rating
Rating for Generators that are used for emergency or low hour usage (maximum 500 per year). No overload is permitted.
Starter Motor
Electrical DC motor that starts the engine.
Starter Motor
Electrical DC motor that starts the engine.
Stator
The static part of an alternator.
Sump
A container for lubricating oil generally at the base of the engine assembly.
Synchronizing Panel
Special electronic control system that synchronizes single or multiple generators to supply electricity through one source. Can also synchronizes a generator to the main grid supply and allow the generator to supply electricity to the main grid.
Water Cooled Engine
Engines that are cooled with liquid
Water Filter
A device that separates dirt from water in the engine circulatory system.
Water Pump
Pump that circulates the water in the engine and the radiator.
Water separator (Algomerator)
A device that separates water from fuel. Allows diesel to pass through only.
Watt
Unit of electrical measurement. Equal to the current of one ampere produced by the electromotive force of one volt).
Winding
The coils inside the stator and around the rotor that produce electricity.