A wattmeter is an electrical measuring instrument that measures active (or real) power in an electric circuit. It measures the value of electric power in watts, kW, MW, etc. Based on the principle and construction, the wattmeters are classified into two major types as − Dynamometer type wattmeter Induction type wattmeter The primary function of both dynamometer and induction type wattmeter is the same, i.e. measurement of active power in the circuit. However, these two types of wattmeters are different from each other in many aspects. In this article, you will learn all the differences between dynamometer ... Read More

A capacitor is a circuit component which has ability to store electrical energy in the form of electrostatic field. A capacitor consists of an assembly of two parallel plates that are separated by an insulating material called dielectric. When a voltage is applied to the capacitor, the dielectric material between its plates get polarized, i.e. its charges or ions get separated. The negative ions accumulated near the positive plate and positive ions accumulated near the negative plate. In this way an electric field is established inside capacitor. Hence the capacitor is said to be charged. There are several capacitors available. ... Read More

Any electric circuit element or device has terminals for making connection in the circuit. These terminals of the element are also called electrodes of the element. The electrodes are classified in two types namely anode and cathode. This article is meant for explaining the difference between anode and cathode. But, before discussing the difference, we should get the basics of anode and cathode so that the understanding of differences between them becomes easier. What is Anode? An electrode of a device such as cell, battery, diode, etc. where oxidation reaction (loss of electrons) occurs is known as anode. In simple ... Read More

Both alternator and generator are types of electromechanical energy conversion devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, however there are several differences in the way they operate. This article will help you understand the major differences between an alternator and a generator. Let's start with a basic overview of what Alternators and Generators are. What is an Alternator? An electromechanical energy conversion device which converts mechanical energy into AC (alternating current) electrical energy is called an alternator. An alternator consists of two main parts namely stator and rotor. The stator carries the armature winding whereas the rotor carriers ... Read More

A circuit breaker is an electrical switching device that can open or close an electric circuit either normally or in case of fault. Therefore, a circuit breaker is one of the major component of an electrical power system or wiring system. A circuit breaker is usually equipped with a control mechanism which enable it to operate automatically in case of abnormal conditions in the circuit. Since the different electrical systems operate at different voltage and current levels. Therefore, according to system voltage and current, there are various types of circuit breakers available such as MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker), ACB (Air ... Read More

A circuit breaker is an electrical switching device that can open or close an electric circuit either normally or in case of fault. Therefore, a circuit breaker is one of the major component of an electrical power system or wiring system. A circuit breaker is usually equipped with a control mechanism which enable it to operate automatically in case of abnormal conditions in the circuit. Since the different electrical systems operate at different voltage and current levels. Therefore, according to system voltage and current, there are various types of circuit breakers available such as MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker), ACB (Air ... Read More

In electrical machines and instruments, an excitation system is the one which receives electrical energy to produce the working magnetic flux. The excitation system is the crucial component every electromechanical energy conversion device such as electric motor. Depending upon the number of input supplies, any electromechanical energy conversion system can be grouped into the following two categories − Singly Excited System Doubly Excited System In this article, we will discuss the major differences between singly excited system and doubly excited system. Let's start with a basic overview of what singly and doubly excited systems are. What is a ... Read More

Both turbocharger and supercharger are used to increase the pressure of atmospheric air before sending it to the engine cylinder. The compressed air increases the amount of fuel to enter into the engine cylinder for combustion, which in turn increases the power of the engine.Basically both turbocharger and supercharger perform the same operation. However, they are different from each other in many ways, which we are going to highlight in this article. What is a Turbocharger? A forced induction system which uses energy of exhaust gases to compress the atmospheric air and sends it to the engine cylinder is known ... Read More

Sensors and transducers are extensively used in the electrical and electronic instruments to measure different physical quantities. However, there are many differences between a sensor and a transducer that we will discuss in this article. But, before getting into the differences, let's get an overview of what sensors and transducers are, so that it becomes easier to understand how they differ from each other.What is a Sensor? A sensor is a device that detects any physical quantity such as pressure, light, heat, temperature, humidity, etc. from the outside environment and responds according to the input to produce a desired output ... Read More

A cell is an active circuit component that supplies electrical energy to the circuit. A cell stores the energy in the form of chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy when the load is connected across its terminals. Depending on the ability to recharge, the cells are classified into the following two types, viz. − Primary cell Secondary cell Read through this article to find out more about primary cells and secondary cells and how these two types of cells are different from each other. What is a Primary Cell? The type of electric cell which produces electrical ... Read More