Getting To Know More About Water Power Generators

Water power generators are machines that provide electrical power using water as its power source. Water power – or more known as hydropower – is one of the primary alternative sources of energy that can produce electricity (the other sources are wind and solar power).

Water power generators are like rechargeable batteries that are powered by water. The propellers of water power generators gyrates the alternator, in order to supply power to a component called “load diverting charge controller”. This controller provides power for the unit’s battery bank. The battery banks provide the much needed power to be used for direct current loads or alternating power loads by way of an inverter. The power is created by the water generator unit’s alternator which is plugged turbine wheel.

There are two distinctive types of water power generator; the “low power submersible” water power generators and the “pipe turbine types” of water power generators. The low power submersible types are designed to be placed in a slow current river or stream. The piped turbine types generate more power than its counterpart and are mostly designed for elevated (the water must not fall less than 20 feet in height) waterways like waterfalls.

Water power generators come in various sizes. Large water power generators are called water turbine generators. These are mostly found on hydroelectric dams. While, small scale water power generators are mostly used for residential applications. Small scale water generators are mostly used on houses or structures that have nearby running water. A typical water power generator can generate non stop power provided that it has available running water.

Structures that have ample source of running water all throughout the year can benefit from these power generating machines. On the other hand, for those with seasonal supply of running water, these power generating machines provide excellence backup power. Most of the small scale water power generators that are available on the market these days use a compact turbine that is connected to an alternator. Water travels down into the turbine through a pipe (mostly plastic materials). The water is driven through the power generating unit’s nozzle/s by way of gravity. Most of the water power generators that run without a dam are called “run of river” water power generating systems.

For proper operation of the water generator unit, specific information (the location where the power generator is installed, the amount of available flowing water, etc.) must be given to the manufacturer.