Difference Between Governor of Engine and That of Generator

by Starlight Generator dieselgeneratortech

Engine governor

Basically engine governors are use to maintain the desire speed of engine depends on the application of engine .It prevents the engine to being overspeed at low or no load condition and prevent damage by overspeed and also prevent stopping at high load.

This is done by regulating the fuel supply to engine ( high at full load as less at no load ) centrifugal governor are example which is used in reciprocal steam engine steam turbine etc.

Generator governor

This is use to maintain output frequency of alternative current as mentioned in details in earlier answer about how speed of generator depends pole and required frequency .

When electrical load increase its increase current in generator windings and increase magnetic resistance in results generator draw more energy from source( steam turbine, water turbine or IC engine) and reduce it's speed or at least load speed increase which resulted low or high frequency of output current to maintain desire frequency supply of fuel/ steam/ water increase or decrease which control by governor.

Governor may be mechanical of electronic control solenoid valve .

Grid syncronization is essential for system which depends on frequency of output current of generator in case of failure black out may occur.