Tom Bishop, P.E.
EASA Senior Technical Support Specialist
We will begin this article by clarifying the terms “alternator” and “generator.” Both terms refer to a machine that converts mechanical to electrical power. An alternator is a synchronous machine that converts mechanical to AC electrical power. A generator is a more general term and is a machine that converts mechanical to electrical power, either AC or DC. An alternator is always a generator, but not vice-versa. Our focus in this article will be on 3-phase alternators. However, much of the information provided also applies to single-phase alternators and single- or three-phase generators.
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