Generator Head

[RonL]

Originally Posted by barnegatV20

Electrician here, what's up?

Thanks for stepping in,

In almost all cases I see people making the comment that generator efficiency is the same as motor efficiency, in most cases approximately 80%.
Construction being almost or identical and sometimes the same unit doing both jobs, it is hard to make a statement that comes across as correct.

As I understand it, the power turning the generator shaft is precisely the equal in wattage as to how much power can be drawn from the output terminals.

All power losses are in the prime mover as it overcomes the actions of the generator and then losses start on the output side in the conductors and continue through the motor or resistance work being performed (whatever that form might be).

If the prime mover is a fueled engine, the common rule is to multiply generator output by 1.34 in order to get the horsepower needed to supply proper power.

So with that said, would the power transferred across the generator be 100% instead of the 80% that seems to be what most think ?

Thanks I hope this is clear, or am I wrong ?

Ron