Q:Hello, what I'm really trying to understand is how do large generators that power prisons, hospitals and various government buildings work? I have a basic understanding of regular house generators and their working process. What I want to know is how such a generator can acquire power in a case of a complete electric blackout, is there a back up supply line? another power source? Surely to supply a large building such as a prison or a hospital one would need a large reserve of power. So the question is where does that power come from? Or are they completely autonomous? Also are these generators commonly used nowadays and what is the difference between them and the reserve power system if any. I would greatly appreciate any answers that could explain the above. Thanks.

You are asking about backup generators? They have a gasoline or diesel engine driving the generator.

Q:I have bought an ex hire Pike trafic signal trailer which contains a diesel generator. it looks very similar to this (

there is a saying a watt is a watt and never changes what will change is the current 1000 watts divided by 110 voltage equals 9.03 amps 1000 watts divided by 220 voltage equals 4.46 amps buth are 1000 watts if you dont believe me try it backwards multiply the volts by the amps of each line and the answer will come out both times to 1000 more or less cos i kept the calcs to two decimal places

Q:I figured it might be diesel generators but I wonder how all that works. I am curious person. LOL

All ships have electric generators to supply their own current. It is separate from the main engine so while the main engine is shut down they will still have electricity.

Q:Do they look any different? I can not see the difference and I do not know which trains are electric and which ones are diesel. If there is any difference in appearance, what is the difference?

An electric train will have either overhead cables or a third rail which feeds the current to the traction motors. In the case of a train which draws its power from overhead cables, there is a device fixed to the roof called a pantograph which picks up the power. Typically it looks like a diamond-shaped frame or an angled arm with a bar on top which makes contact with the electric cable. Edit: Also clearly visible are the rows of masts and gantries alongside and over the track, which support the overhead wires. A diesel train is self-contained, in other words it does not rely on any external power source. Noise from an electric train is minimal. You may hear whining from the motors and a cracking or clicking sound from the switch banks and circuit breakers, but not much else. A diesel train on the other hand has a noticeable exhaust sound, which can vary from one train to another but is clearly audible and fairly loud, the exhaust is visible as it is expelled from the outlet vents, and the exhaust can also be smelt. The tang of diesel exhaust is unmistakeable. Other than that, the body design of diesel and electric trains tends to be similar, so in telling them apart you will need to look for the details as above. Edit: re Mitchey's answer, last paragraph. Mostly right, but there is one type of locomotive in use in the UK called the electro-diesel which can operate on a third rail system, or under its own power using a built-in diesel powered generator, over tracks where there is no third rail.

Q:Why not samoto diesel generator power

the contact between the exciter brush and commutator is bad or the brush holder pressure is not enough.

Q:How do they supply their own electricity? I know recently they have moved to solar energy, but am curious as to what else they do.

They have various diesel generator power houses set up around the islands.

Q:I just learned there are 2 cycle diesel engines.What machines use them?Also,Why does Jeep still use an in-line 6 cylinder as opposed to a V-6?

Detroit Diesel built 2 stroke diesel and was used in over the road trucks until early 90's when EPA pretty much clamped down on them that the engine could not pass clean air standards. There are still many running in heavy equip in the construction today. How ever they are being phased out and repowered with cleaner burning 4 stroke engines.

Q:a falling waterb burning coalc sunlightd gasoline or diesel fuel

most likely d. gasoline or diesel fuel

Q:fuel oil operated generator (called also heavy oil) can be a dual fuel engine e.g. fuel oil w diesel backup.engine only or a generator set.generator 150~250 Kvaif engine only: 200~300 HPused in working condition

I dont get it are you buying selling or just telling us they exist.