Today, I am writing about electrical devices alternator and oscillator and then the difference between them.
An alternator and oscillator are two different electrical devices and they have different functionality and use cases.
What is Alternator?
An alternator is the current (EMF) generating a mechanical device.
What is Oscillator?
An oscillator is a frequency generating electronic device.
Now, let’s compare two devices,
Difference between Alternator and Oscillator
| Sr. No. | Content | Alternator | Oscillator |
| 01 | What type of Device is it? | An alternator is a mechanical device. | An oscillator is an electronic device. |
| 02 | Definition | The mechanical device which converts mechanical energy to the AC supply electrical energy is called the ‘Alternator’. | The electronic device which converts DC energy into the AC energy is known as the ‘Oscillator’. |
| 03 | Functionality Difference | An alternator can produce the high-frequency (more than 50Hz) oscillations according to prime mover rpm. | The oscillator can produce the high-frequency oscillations with the several MHz frequencies. |
| 04 | Nature of Device | It is a rotating and energy converting device. | It is a non-rotating and frequency generating device. |
| 05 | Working Principles | The alternator operates on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction. | An Oscillator operates on the principle of the Oscillation. |
06. Symbolic Representation of Alternator and Oscillator
- Alternator Symbol:
- Oscillator Symbol:
07. Circuit Diagram of Alternator and Oscillator
- The diagram of the Alternator model:
- The diagram of Crystal Oscillator:
This is the main difference between the alternator and oscillator and some useful symbols and diagrams.
Similarity between Alternator and Oscillator
What is the similarity between alternator and oscillator?
These alternator and oscillator devices produce the sinusoidal oscillation in Hz.
Note:
An alternator cannot be called an oscillator. Because alternator produces only the 50 -60 Hz frequency.
If you are interesting knowing more about oscillator, I have explained the crystal oscillator in the BE project “An Automatic Solar tracking system by using Micro-controller”
If you have any doubts or any points to discuss, please comment in below. And also share with your friends and students.
Related Read:
- Electrical Vs Electronics
- Electrical Vs Magnetic Circuit
- Single Phase Vs Three Phase
- Electric Motor Vs Generator
- Synchronous Motor Vs Induction Motor
Thanks for Reading!
I have completed master in Electrical Power System. I work and write technical tutorials on the PLC, MATLAB programming, and Electrical on DipsLab.com portal.
Sharing my knowledge on this blog makes me happy. And sometimes I delve in Python programming.
Good to read, all is OK
from the alternator, we can also make high frequency more than 60 hz but having Limitations depending on prime mover rpm.
Thanks, Vaibhava for the correction. I have updated.
Good.
Thanks!
Great…..thank you for sharing this valuable knowledge. will you please give us tutorial on C.T. & P.T.
Sure, Amit. And thanks for suggesting this topic.
I add this topic in my list. Soon, I will write a tutorial on the Current Transformer (CT) and Potential Transformer (PT).
Nice way for understanding
Nice, Article. I am getting clear fundamental.
Thanks, Amrita 🙂