How a Generator Works

A generator is used to turn mechanical energy into electrical energy, just the opposite of a motor. The basics of the generator are pretty basic. It runs on the principle of electromagnetic induction, discovered by Michael Faraday. Once you know what electromagnetic induction is, it is easy to learn how a generator works.

Electromagnetic Induction
Michael Faraday found in 1831, that if a conducting wire or material was moved through a magnetic field, an electrical current would form in the wire. Now on to the generator...

The Generator

 (Picture from KSS. I own no rights to the diagram)

This is a diagram of a wind turbine, but it is very similar to a generator. At the bottom is the turbine, which would be a crank in a real generator. When this is turned, so is the coil of conducting wire that is attached to it. It is moved through the magnetic lines of force created by the permanent magnet. This induces a current in the wire, and in this case it would light the light bulb.