What is a Prime Mover for an Electrical Generator?

Fig-Prime Mover for an Electrical Generator

Prime Mover Who Rotates the Electrical Generator Shaft Constantly to Generate Electrical Energy Converting the Mechanical Rotating force:

A simple idea about the prime mover that can be anything to provide mechanical input to a machine.

With a better understanding we can say, Yes, even a human can act as a prime mover if anyone rotates the machine by himself and give mechanical input to the machine.

But for machines, a good prime mover is something that maintains to provide a constant speed irrespective of the load applied to a generator.

Actually, the prime mover is a primary source of power, which means all the machinery that provides power for performing different mechanical work.

So, the prime mover is a group of machines that transform energy from thermal, electrical, or pressure into mechanical form for use in different sources for some mechanical work to generate electrical energy by an electrical generator.

Wikipedia Prime mover (locomotive): In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. In an engine-generator set, the engine is the prime mover, as distinct from the generator.

What are the Common types of Prime Mover for Electrical generators?

AC synchronous generator at a power plant will be driven/turned/spun by the prime mover. In the field of the electrical generator the more common types of energy resources used to generate electricity and their associated prime movers' classes are as below:

Steam turbines

Fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil)

Nuclear

Geothermal

Solar-heated steam 

Hydro turbines

Dams and rivers

Pump storage 

Combustion turbines

Diesel

Natural gas

Combined cycle

Wind turbines

Solar direct (photo-voltaic)

Major Classification of Prime Mover

Prime movers are classified as follows: 

1. Engines: 

a.External combustion engine. Ex. Steam Engine b.Internal Combustion engine i) Petrol engine ii) Diesel engine 

2. Turbines: 

a.Steam turbine b.Gas turbine c.Water turbine d.Wind turbine

Electric Motor Also Called a Prime Mover

A Prime mover is something that provides motion/rotation or mechanical power to move a shaft; converts energy from source energy, into mechanical energy, usually, as a motive power source providing traction to move a vehicle.

An electric motor is an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The reverse of this is the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy and is done by an electric generator, which has much in common with a motor.

The fan over the stove and in the microwave oven;

The blender;

The mixer; etc. are an example of an electric motor used as the prime mover.

What Happens If Electric Generator Prime Mover Rotates in Opposite Direction?

The electric generator generates electricity that maintains phase sequence and its direction is universal. Phase 1,2,3 or R-Y-B is apart 120 degrees from each other, following these rules all generators synchronize together.

Now consider one generator's prime mover rotating opposite direction, the phase difference between phases remains the same but the phase sequence of the power generated will change :)

Suppose R-Y-B is the phase sequence in normal operation than after rotating of prime mover in the opposite direction phase sequence would be R-B-Y because the magnetic field of rotor poles will be firstly cut by R winding then B and then Y.