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Electric generator
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Electricity_generation/Uo6mQQ1T">electricity generation</a>, a generator, also called an <i>electric generator</i>, <i>electrical generator</i>, and <i>electromagnetic generator</i> is an electromechanical device that converts <a href="/facts/Mechanical_energy/gI4oMzoY">mechanical energy</a> to <a href="/facts/Electrical_energy/V0pJUrDY">electrical energy</a> for use in an external <a href="/facts/Electrical_network/zt94kTW0">circuit</a>. In most generators which are rotating machines, a source of kinetic power rotates the generator's shaft, and the generator produces an <a href="/facts/Electric_current/Dc1xdnUX">electric current</a> at its output terminals which flows through an external circuit, powering <a href="/facts/Electrical_load/IX0XBAqB">electrical loads</a>. Sources of mechanical energy used to drive generators include <a href="/facts/Steam_turbine/scacVXsB">steam turbines</a>, <a href="/facts/Gas_turbine/JJJNwXrG">gas turbines</a>, <a href="/facts/Water_turbine/asldvmcG">water turbines</a>, <a href="/facts/Internal_combustion_engine/Ju4BXzj0">internal combustion engines</a>, <a href="/facts/Wind_turbine/lUfWqfLg">wind turbines</a> and even hand <a href="/facts/Crank_(mechanism)/1a3bCxyE">cranks</a>. Generators produce nearly all of the electric power for worldwide <a href="/facts/Electric_power_grid/RkWPqjmG">electric power grids</a>. The first electromagnetic generator, the <a href="/facts/Faraday_disk/E0Yqt9mJ">Faraday disk</a>, was invented in 1831 by British scientist <a href="/facts/Michael_Faraday/NDcc3lyt">Michael Faraday</a>. </p><p>The reverse conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy is done by an <a href="/facts/Electric_motor/ArD7BGDa">electric motor</a>, and motors and generators are very similar. Some motors can be used in a "backward" sense as generators, if their shaft is rotated they will generate electric power. </p><p>In addition to its most common usage for electromechanical generators described above, the term generator is also used for <a href="/facts/Photovoltaic/5Xefaayl">photovoltaic</a>, <a href="/facts/Fuel_cell/UcMYnCW3">fuel cell</a>, and <a href="/facts/Magnetohydrodynamic_generator/qp6cP0JL">magnetohydrodynamic</a> powered devices that use <a href="/facts/Solar_power/NpgmEbU2">solar power</a> and chemical fuels, respectively, to generate electrical power. </p>