Originally Posted by
nick_e
I think there is just ambiguity around the terms, and it's not surprising there is confusion.
A (modern) car has an alternator that uses a voltage rectifier to output DC.
A genset uses an alternator that puts out AC at mains voltage but they are marketed as 'generators'. Not sure if this is a throwback from the old days before AC took off or if its just a different, non technical use of the term generator.
Actual generators aren't used that much out of specialised applications these days as far as I am aware. Most common applications have been replaced with either AC alternatives or electronics powered by rectified AC supply.
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