Generator Glossary of Terms
Air Filter
Filters the intake air to remove any contaminants before it enters the engine.
Alternating Current (AC)
Refers to the form in which electricity is delivered to your home. AC is voltage that increases to a maximum positive ( ) and falls back to zero and then continues to a maximum negative (-) and back to zero. This cycle is repeated 60 times for 60 hertz AC power.
Amperage
The strength of an electric current, measured in amperes.
Amp
A measure of electric current flow. One ampere (amp) will flow when one volt is applied across a resistance of one ohm.
Battery Charging Circuit Fuse
Protects the engine-mounted battery charging circuit against damage from electrical faults.
Cast Iron Sleeve
A cylinder cast into the engine to extend its life by producing a harder surface between the aluminum engine block and steel piston rings.
Circuit Breaker
A thermal switch that turns off if too much current is passing through it. All receptacles on generators are circuit-breaker protected.
Continuous Load
The wattage load the generator is capable of maintaining for an extended time, assuming that the engine has been maintained.
Cranking Battery
Supplies power to start engine and keep control panel active.
Cranking Battery Charger
Charges cranking battery at proper level during periods of inactivity to ensure reliable, consistent starting.
C.S.A.
Canadian Standards Association. Products that have this marking have been manufactured, tested and inspected to standards that are set by C.S.A.
Direct Current (DC)
An electric current flowing in one direction only, such as from a battery to an appliance..
Duplex Receptacle
Two 120-volt receptacles tied together, similar to the outlets you have in your house.
Electronic ignition
A solid-state ignition system with no moving parts, ensuring reliable timing or firing to the spark plug.
Endbell
The end cap of the generator section. It houses the brushes, rotor bearing and, in some cases, receptacles.
Frequency
The number of vibrations or cycles per unit of time. More specifically, the numbers of cycles per second of an alternating current. See hertz.
Fuel Regulator/Lockoff Solenoids
Controls fuel flow to home standby engine.
Full Power
Denotes that the rated power of the generator can be drawn from a particular branch circuit.
Full Pressure Lubrication
A feature found on premium engines, utilizing an oil pump and filter to supply oil directly to the internal components of the engine, increasing the engine’s life.
Generator
A general name for a device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy may be direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). An AC generator may be called an alternator.
GFCI
Ground fault circuit interrupter. An electrical device designed to prevent severe or fatal electric shocks by monitoring current flow in a circuit, to sense any loss of current. If the current flowing through the circuit differs by a small amount from that returning, the GFCI quickly switches off power to that circuit.
Ground
A connection, either intentional or accidental, between an electric circuit and the earth or some conducting body serving in place of the earth. In power circuits, a ground is done intentionally to protect people from the effects of faulty insulation on electrically powered equipment.
Hertz
A unit representing one cycle per second.
Hour Meter
Tracks the hours of actual operations on a home standby generator.
Idle Control
A device that reduces engine speed when a generator set is not being operated under load. An idler conserves fuel, reduces the noise and saves wear and tear on the engine.
Lamp Test Switch
Checks for function of all indicator lights on the control panel.
Low Oil Shutdown
A connection feature designed to shut off the engine if it runs low on oil, preventing serious damage or failure.
Main Line Circuit Breaker
Protects your generator and connected loads from electrical faults. Used to isolate output power from operating generator.
Mode Switch
A Used to set the operating state of the generator.
Ohm
Unit of electrical resistance. One volt will cause a current on one ampere to flow through a resistance of one ohm.
Ohm’s Law
States that the intensity (amperage) of an electrical current is directly proportional to the electromotive force (voltage) and inversely proportional to the resistance (ohms). (Amps = Volts/Ohms) or (1 = E/R). Also displayed as Watts = volts x amps.
OHV
Overhead valve. An engine design with the valves placed above the piston in the head, instead of to the side of the piston in the engine block.
Oil Drain Valve
Quick-turn ball valve with extended drain hose to speed up maintenance and eliminate mess.
Oil Fill Plug
Overhead Covers opening where you can add fresh engine oil as required.
Oil Level Dipstick
Dipstick for checking for proper engine lubricating oil level.
Phase
The number of complete voltage and/or current sine waves generated per 360 electrical degrees. Each phase requires a complete set of windings.
Rated Power
The net electric output a generator can provide continuously when functioning as designed.
Rotor
The rotating element of a motor or generator.
RPM
Revolutions per minute. A unit of measure of engine speed.
Service Access Panels
Provides access to areas where service is required on home standby units.
Short Circuit
An unintentional electrical contact between the current-carrying outputs resulting in the passage of current through an undesirable path.
Single Phase
A single-phase alternating current system has a single voltage in which voltage reversals occur at the same time and are of the same alternating polarity through the system.
Spark Arrester
A screen that covers the outlet of the muffler to stop sparks from exiting. Spark arresters are required for use in national parks and the State of California.
Spin on Oil Filter
Replaceable, disposable filter to remove contaminants from engine oil to prolong engine life.
Stator
The stationary part of a generator or motor.
Surge Power
The load, in excess of rated load, that the generator set is capable of delivering for a specified period of time. It should be recognized that the voltage frequency and operating temperatures might differ from normal rated values.
Three Phase
Three complete, separate sine waves spaced 120 electrical degrees apart.
Transfer Switch
A device which will switch a load from the main utility power source to a standby power source.
Twistlock
A receptacle or plug that has a mechanism for locking it in place to prevent accidental removal.
U.L.
Underwriters Laboratory. Indicates that the products that have this marking have been manufactured, tested, and inspected to standards that are set by U.L.
Universal Motor
An electrical motor which can be used on either AC or DC supply.
Utility Line
The wire provided and owned by a utility company which can carry a power supply.
Vibration Isolators
Rubber pads mounted between the engine/stator and the frame of the generator. They are designed to minimize the vibrations produced by the engine.
Volt
The unit of electromotive force. That electromotive force which, when steadily applied to a conductor whose resistance is one ohm, will produce a current of one ampere.
Voltage
Electrical potential or potential difference expressed in volts.
Watt
Unit of electric power. In direct current, watts = volts x amperes. In alternating current, watt = effective amps x power factor x a constant dependent on the number of phases (1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt).
Winding
All the coils of a generator. Stator winding consists of a number of stator coils and their interconnections. Rotor windings consist of all winding and connections of the rotor poles..
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