An electric current is a push in a wire – the push of moving electrons. But what makes the electrons start to push through the wire? Where does the current come from?
The electric current is made in a kind of “electricity factory” called a power plant or power station. The special machine that makes electricity is called a generator.
A generator uses a huge, spinning magnet to make electrons move. The pull of the spinning magnet is strong enough to start electrons pushing in a wire.
The magnet is surrounded by a large coil of tightly wound wire. When the magnet begins to spin, its pull starts millions of electrons pushing! This push makes a strong electric current in the coiled wire. The current is sent through other wires from the power plant to your home.
A generator makes electrical energy. But a generator uses energy, too. Running water, burning fuel, or nuclear energy runs the engines or other machines that make the huge magnets spin. So a generator actually is an energy-changing machine. It changes other kinds of energy into electrical energy – energy you can use.
Picture Credit : Google
