How Does A Diesel Generator Work?

Author: Harry

May. 13, 2024

How Does A Diesel Generator Work?

Diesel Generators are machines that produce electricity by burning diesel fuels. These handy machines use a combination of a diesel engine and an electric generator to cause electricity. It converts the chemical energy that’s contained in diesel fuel to mechanical energy through combustion.

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These machines are relied on by companies of all sizes to supply well-needed electrical energy in needed times such as energy cuts, brownouts, and any other interruptions to the main power.

They are also used as the main power source for many other uses such as powering off-grid homes due to them being able to be turned on and off quickly without any lag time, events and many more.

There are many configurations of diesel generators from small diesel generations to portable generators – but they all work the same way and have the same main components.

 

How Does A Diesel Generator Create Electricity?

A diesel generator creates electricity by converting mechanical energy into electrical power, it does this by channelling it through power cables. A good example is imagining electricity flowing through these pipes the same way water flows through pipes.

Diesel generators are often thought of as an ‘electrical pump’ that causes electricity to easily flow through the wires. This doesn’t create any new electrons or destroy any, it just allows them to move in a practical fashion.

 

The Components Of A Diesel Generator

A diesel generator is made up of nine important components these are:

  • Diesel Engine
  • Alternator
  • Fuel System
  • Voltage Regulator
  • Cooling & Exhaust System
  • Lubrication System
  • Battery Charger
  • Control Panel
  • Main Assembly Frame

To understand the diesel generator better, we will break down each component of the diesel generator.

 

Diesel Engine

A diesel engine is no different to the one you’d find inside your car, a truck or any other large vehicle. This is the main source of mechanical energy and it’s important the size of the engine if you are looking to hire a diesel generator, the bigger source you have the more power you are going to be able to produce.

 

Alternator

This component is responsible for generating the power output. An alternator is made up of many complex components and one of these crucial components is the rotor.

This rotor is a shaft that rotates from mechanical energy driven by the diesel engine with carefully placed fixed magnets that creates a magnetic field. This is where we begin to see the concept of electromagnetic.

The magnetic field created constantly rotates around another super important part of the alternator: the stator. We don’t want to get too scientific here so to sum it up easily, if an electrical conductor remains stationary and you have a magnetic field that moves around it, an electric current will be induced.

 

Fuel System

The fuel system is the supply for the engine with a pipe that connects directly to the engine. This will help kickstart the whole operation, the size of your fuel system will dictate how long your diesel generator will be active.

Your fuel system may be smaller if you are planning to use a generator inside the housing or if you are using portable units. Larger fuel systems may be found for extensive permanently fixed use.

The inside parts of the fuel system make up a lot of pipework to get the fuel to the engine correctly. This is similar to ones you’d find inside most vehicles e.g. a fuel filter, a ventilation pipe and a valve for the fuel tank to prevent any unwanted overpressure.

There’s also an overflow connection that is to ensure that if your tank is overfilled, the overfilled flow will be channelled away and won’t be splashed across your floor surface, the surface of the engine or the alternator we previously spoke about.

 

The Voltage Regulator

Quite possibly the most complex component when it comes to the diesel generator. The Voltage Regulator helps regulate the voltage output. There are a lot of details when it comes to the voltage regulator that we can’t explain in one section so we’ll break it down for you.

Without this component in place, the voltage and the amperage of the current AC running would vary according to what speed your diesel engine is running at.

As we live in a modern time we rely heavily on a very steady power supply and that requires something to level it out. In simple terms, the voltage regulator makes sure our power supply stays steady and we can handle the power.

 

Cooling & Exhaust System

These two components are key and unlike the voltage regulator, there are a lot easier to understand! A cooling system helps prevent your diesel generator from overheating.

It does this by releasing a coolant in the generator which counteracts any additional heat generated by the engine. The coolant takes all the heat through a heat exchanger and begins to get rid of it outside of the generator.

Again like your car, the exhaust system takes any gas created by the diesel engine and goes through a piping system and exhausts them out the generator.

 

Lubrication System

The Lubrication System attaches to the diesel engine and this is handled by an oil pump which pumps oil through to make sure that all the parts work smoothly when on and don’t needlessly grind against each other, without this system in place your engine would surely break down.

 

Battery Charger

Every diesel engine needs a battery charger to help kick-start it into action. This small motor will require a small battery which needs to be charged in order to work. This battery will help it keep full of charge and work nicely.

 

Control Panel

You will operate your diesel generator from here. You’ll find a vast range of controls that will allow you to operate certain things or check on certain parts to see if it’s working okay.

The typical controls & outputs you will find are:

  • Start/Shutdown
  • Frequency Switch
  • Engine Mode Switch
  • Engine Fuel
  • Engine Oil
  • Engine Speed
  • Coolant Temperature
  • Battery Charge

There are also many other different controls and outputs.

 

Main Assembly Frame

Your generation will need to be contained and the main assembly frame component is exactly what is needed. It helps keep everything together to make it work nicely. Your frame can be an open design or closed depending on your setting.

Outdoor generators are mainly protected with a protective frame that’s waterproof to prevent any long-term damage. These are all the components needed for a diesel generator to work!

If you need help with relocating your diesel generator, get in touch with us today. Alternatively, we can assist you with generator servicing covering everything from replacing the engine fluids and components inline with OEM recommendations as well as testing the fuel systems and cranking batteries.

For more how do diesel generators workinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Jack is the owner of Pleavin Power which was founded in 2017. He has worked in the power industry for over a decade and has an extreme focus on providing a quality service to clients across the UK. This has led Pleavin Power to becoming the market leader in the Critical, Prime & Standby Power markets.

How Does a Diesel Standby Generator Engine Work?

 

Generators supply a continuous flow of electricity to any building or equipment anywhere at any time.

Diesel generators serve a variety of purposes, including personal use. Have you thought about investing in a standby generator? Here’s a closer look at how they work and how they can benefit you!

What Is a Diesel Standby Generator?

A diesel standby generator, also known as a Genset, is a piece of equipment that consists of a diesel engine and an electric generator/alternator. These two items work together to convert diesel fuel into electrical energy. From there, anyone requiring electricity can access it, even if they’re not connected to the power grid.

Most standby diesel generators are a supplemental energy source. Their purpose is to kick on and provide you with power should your power grid fail during a storm or peak hours of business.

 

How Does a Diesel Standby Generator Work?

A diesel standby generator uses diesel as its fuel source. Diesel burns at a much higher temperature compared to other fuel sources making it more efficient and powerful.

The engine converts the fuel into mechanical energy. This energy powers the alternator by spinning the alternator rotor which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. 

In addition to the rotor, the alternator contains a stator and a magnetic field in between the two.  The rotor will spin through this magnetic field to create voltage, through electromagnetic induction, on the stator. When connected to a load, the voltage from the stator will flow as an electrical current which allows the generator to provide power.

A diesel generator works like this:

  • Air blows into the generator until it compresses and then diesel injects
  • The combination of compressed air and diesel fuel causes the air to combust, starting the generator
  • The heat from the engine converts to mechanical energy where it enters the alternator and converts the energy into electricity

A diesel standby generator can run for hours, days, and even weeks with the proper maintenance and fuel supply.

Get in touch with Central States Diesel Generators today.


Call Us! 262-955-7655 | (M) 847-997-8090|ppaden@csdieselgenerators.com

Elements of a Standby Generator

The powerful components of the generator need housing and a few other components to help the generator run smoothly.

The generator houses the engine, alternator, and other smaller components in an enclosure made of steel or aluminum. This protects the generator from the elements while also muffling the noise. The housing needs to assist with cooling the generator and resistant to corrosion.

Other parts of the generator include an emergency automatic transfer switch and a control panel. The base of the generator rests on an anti-vibration system to reduce noise and protect the integrity of the generator.

A fuel tank stores the diesel. Depending on the type of generator, the housing may contain the fuel tank or it may be separate.

Portable vs Standby Generator

Generators come in a variety of sizes and strengths depending on their purpose. Large standby portable generators used to power entire hospitals in an emergency are far larger than the portable generator you use for your camper. The two main types of generators you’ll come across are portable vs standby generators.

Portable and diesel standby generators can complete the same task of offering a power supply when you’re off the grid. When comes to convenience and cost, a standby vs portable generator offers different advantages and disadvantages.

Portable Stand Alone Diesel Generators

Portable generators typically cost less, produce less energy, and tend to be noisier than their diesel standby counterparts. Most use gasoline as their fuel source but you can find some that run on diesel, liquid propane, or natural gas. Depending on the size of the generator, it can burn anywhere from 12 to 20 gallons of fuel per day.

The advantage of a portable generator you can move them with relative ease. You can keep them safe and out of sight in storage when you’re not using them. They will require you to manually connect them to your home or camper via transfer switches.

If you need to use a portable generator during inclement weather, you’ll need to cover it with a protective covering.

Standby Generators

The most noticeable difference between a portable vs standby generator is the latter is stationary. A professional will permanently install them with weatherproofing housing outside your home, office, or workplace.

The biggest advantage of a standby generator is it’ll automatically kick in when you lose power. These generators provide enough power to let you power everything in your house or workplace at once.

Diesel standby generators are more efficient with their fuel allowing them to run for longer. Natural gas and propane options can run for even longer periods of time.

The greater level of power and efficiency offered by diesel standby generators comes with a hefty price tag. For the added cost, you gain reliability, convenience, and a better-performing generator. Other bents of a diesel standby generator include:

  • Fuel efficiency
  • Reliability
  • Scalable design
  • Local and remote use
  • Automatic loading control
  • Robust build
  • Low emissions

Despite its great performance, most people opt for the portable generator due to the price. If you want something more powerful and long-lasting for your home or business, a diesel standby generator is the better choice.

Uses of a Standby Portable Generator

The additional power and reliability of a diesel standby generator allow it to work in a variety of situations and uses. A few generator uses include:

  • Provide backup power to your home
  • Power to your business
  • Agriculture, farming, and ranching
  • Offer electricity in remote settings
  • Offer power for special events like weddings and concerts
  • Camping
  • Mining
  • Fairs and carnivals
  • Holiday displays
  • Boating

Diesel generators are ideal for any situation where you need electrical power but can’t connect to the regular power grid.

Find Standby Diesel Generators Today!

Are you looking for a reliable power source to keep your home or workplace running? A diesel standby generator offers many benefits designed to fit nearly any need with added convenience. Investing in a diesel standby generator will ensure your home or office continues running smoothly.

Have questions or want to learn more about the generators we offer? Contact us today! We’re happy to help you with all of your generator needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Diesel Standby Generator?

A diesel standby generator, also known as a Genset, is a diesel engine powered equipment that generates electricity. It comes with a generator and alternator that work in tandem to convert diesel fuel into electricity. Most Gensets are alternate sources of power that provide electricity when the grid switches off.

How Does a Diesel Standby Generator Work?

A Genset has a very simple mechanism that generates electricity. The air inside the generator is compressed to a certain degree and then diesel is injected. This combination of air and injected diesel results in air combustion, which starts the generator. The subsequent heat that is produced from this combustion converts into mechanical energy. It then enters the alternator that converts the energy into electricity.

What are the main components of a standby generator?

Apart from the engine, generator and alternator, a standby generator also houses several other components made of steel and aluminium. These elements protect the generator and muffle the noise. The housing helps the generator remain cool. It also contains an emergency automatic transfer switch and a control panel. The generator also consists of a fuel tank and the base rests on an anti-vibration system.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of genset perkins. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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