The diesel engine drives the generator to operate, converting the chemical energy of diesel fuel into electrical energy.
Inside the cylinders of the diesel engine, clean air filtered by the air filter fully mixes with high-pressure atomized diesel injected through fuel injectors. As the piston moves upward, the mixture is compressed into a reduced volume, causing a rapid temperature rise that reaches the ignition point of diesel. The diesel ignites, and the gas mixture burns violently with sharp volumetric expansion, forcing the piston downward — this process is known as “power stroke”. Each cylinder performs the power stroke in a fixed sequence. The thrust acting on the pistons is transmitted via connecting rods into rotational force that turns the crankshaft.
A brushless synchronous alternator is mounted coaxially with the diesel engine crankshaft. The rotation of the diesel engine drives the generator rotor. Based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, the generator generates induced electromotive force, which produces an electric current when connected to a closed load circuit.
This only describes the basic working principle of the generator set. A full range of control and protection components and circuits for both the diesel engine and generator are required to deliver usable, stable power output.
A diesel generator set is an independent power generation unit. It refers to power machinery that uses diesel as fuel and adopts a diesel engine as the prime mover to drive the generator for electricity production. A complete unit generally consists of a diesel engine, generator, control panel, fuel tank, starting and control storage battery, protective devices, emergency cabinet and other components. The whole unit can be fixed on a foundation for stationary operation, or mounted on a trailer for mobile use.
Diesel generator sets are non-continuous operation power equipment. If operated continuously for more than 12 hours, their output power will drop to approximately 90% of the rated power. Despite their relatively low power rating, diesel generator sets feature compact size, high flexibility, light weight, complete supporting accessories, and easy operation and maintenance. Therefore, they are widely used in mines, railways, field construction sites, road maintenance, factories, enterprises, hospitals and other sectors as standby power or temporary power supply. Meanwhile, such small-sized generator sets can also serve as portable mini power stations and act as backup power for numerous enterprises.
For more questions about the generator set, please call the Beidou Power team. More than ten years of professional production and sales of power generation equipment experience, more professional engineer team to serve you, choose Beidou power is to choose rest assured, welcome on-site factory inspection.
Post time: Jul-06-2026