Alternator or Generator? 1

[SEP87]

I'm sure this must have been covered somewhere but I can't find it.

I'm trying to find the exact engineering definition of a Generator and how it differs from an Alternator.

I am aware of two different definitions and I'm struggling to find which one is correct.

1) Generator is a generic term for any device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Thus an Alternator is a type of generator.

2) A Generator is specifically a device which uses a static magnetic field to induce an AC current onto the rotor which then uses a commutator to produce a DC current. Whilst an Alternator uses a rotating magnetic field to induce an AC current in the stator?

If definition 2 is correct them I am content.

If definition 1 is correct, then I am happy that an Alternator is a type of Generator which uses a rotating magnetic field to induce an AC current in the stator. BUT... what is the technically correct term for device which uses a static magnetic field to induce an AC current onto a rotor which then uses a commutator to produce a DC current (as the term Generator is too generic to cover this exact application).

I hope this makes sense?

 

[LionelHutz]

I think the initial question is being lost. Despite the fact that there are standards which tell you what names you should use, the words generator and alternator still are used and have definitions.

The definitions I have always seen are that a generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and an alternator is a generator that produces alternating voltage or current.