Eli5: What happens to the source if we don’t consume the generated electricity from the source?

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I came across several discussions that made in past but I didn’t get the real question in my mind. When we run a voltage generator (dynamo, fuel generator, etc.) it produces voltages. If there is a load connected to the generator’s output, it will start to pull currents. If there is no load connected to the output, it will still produce voltage but there is no current that will flow through the output … So; zero times current and 220 times volt is equal to zero power… I am okay with that until here…

Here is my question is:

Is this situation harmful to the generator? what happens if we continue to run the generator with no load? Does it burn himself due to increasing inside temperature due to inside consumption such as friction, ventilation, etc. ? Is it dangerous to run a generator with no load? I also wondering this question with other generators such as solar cells…

So my point of the question is: what happens to the source if we don’t consume the generated electricity from the source?

In: Physics

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Voltage is potential. It’s like lifting a bucket of water. Nothing needs to flow or transfer to have that potential increase, but if that raised potential is connected to a lower potential (an empty bucket lower down) then stuff will flow.

As far as damage to the dynamo, it depends. Super high voltages can cause electrical bleeding (basically making its own path) and material damage over time. I wouldn’t think you have to worry about that much, though.

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