Specifications

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M – N
magnet: A material that attracts iron and produces
a magnetic field.
magnetic field: An area of magnetic force created
and defined by lines of magnetic flux surrounding a
material in three dimensions.
magnetic flux: The invisible lines of force in a
magnetic field.
magnetism: An atomic level force derived from
the atomic structure and motion of certain orbiting
electrons in a substance.
magneto: An alternator with permanent magnets
used to generate current for ignition in an internal
combustion engine.
Magnetron® ignition system: An ignition system
that uses electronic components in place of breaker
points and a condenser.
manual switch: A switch operated by a person.
mechanical switch: A switch operated by the
movement of an object.
milliamp: An expression meaning 1/1000th of an
amp.
millivolt: An expression meaning 1/1000th of a volt.
neutrons: The neutral parts of an atom which have
no electrical charge.
N-type material: A portion of a silicon crystal that
has an excess of electrons and a deficiency of
protons.
nucleus: The center of the atom, which consists of
protons and neutrons.
O – P
Ohm: Unit of electrical resistance. One volt will
cause a current of one flow through a resistance of
one ohm.
Ohm’s law: A law that states the relationship
between voltage, current, and resistance in any
circuit.
parallel circuit: A circuit that has two or more paths
(branches) for current flow.
pathway: A conductor (commonly copper wire),
which connects different parts of the circuit.
permanent (hard) magnet: A magnet that retains
its magnetism after a magnetizing force has been
removed.
phase: The uniform periodic change in amplitude
or magnitude of an alternating current. Three phase
alternating current consists of three different sine
wave current consists of three different sine wave
current flows, different in phase by120 degrees from
each other.
polarity: The state of an object as negative or
positive.
polarity-sensitive circuit: A circuit that does not
operate properly when exposed to the wrong polarity.
potential energy: Stored energy a body has due to
its position, chemical state, or condition.
power: The rate at which work is done.
Power Transfer System: A system to safely wire
your generator to your home’s electrical system.
protons: The parts of the atom that have a positive
electrical charge.
P-type material: A portion of a silicon crystal that has
an excess of protons and a deficiency of electrons.
pulsating DC: DC voltage produced by rectifying
(removing) one-half of an AC sine wave.
pulse: Half of a cycle.
R – S
rated speed: Revolutions per minute at which the
set is designed to operate.
rated voltage: The rated voltage of an engine
generator set is the voltage at which it is designed
to operate.
rear bearing carrier: The casting which houses the
rotor bearing which supports the rotor shaft.
rectifier: An electrical component that converts AC
to DC by allowing the current to flow in only one
direction.
regulator/rectifier: An electrical component that
contains one or more diodes and a zener diode.
relay: An electrically operated switch usually used in
control circuits and whose contacts are considered
low amperage, compared to a contactor.
reserve capacity: The amount of time a battery can
produce 25A at 80 F (26 degrees C).
resistance (R): The opposition to the flow of
electrons.
resistive load: An applied load that reduces the
possibility of the alternator system delivering full
amperage through the circuit.
rotor: The rotating element of a generator.
secondary winding: A coil in which high voltage is
induced for use at the spark plug.
self-inductance: A magnetic field created around
a conductor whenever current moves through the
conductor.
series circuit: A circuit having two or more
components connected so that there is only one
path for current flow.