Can a generator ruin electronics over time?

Question

I've been told that a generator's current stream fluctuates and can ruin electronics over time because of this. Also I was told that a normal surge protector doesn't help to prevent this. Is this true? If so, is there any sort of converter or device that evens out the current so it doesn't run anything?

Answer 1

Just as "more slack" said, but I'd add a little.

You really have to add a little more detail to get an answer to the question that you really want to ask.

Most likely the answer to what you have in mind is "No it doesn't happen like that", but can't tell as there are some cases.

For example many things, likely most things, are design for AC, alternating signals, eg speech, radio.  The circuits for these are designed for such.

On the smoothing concept: power supplies are also design for certain operating conditions.  There are often design for a particular life time.

A condition on many computers & similar electronics equipment has been to do with the use of capacitors for smoothing.  This is normal & been round for a very long time.  Recently however these often fail.

Capacitors, particularly for smoothing are rated at voltage & ripple current & temperature.  That is the amount of current they must source when smoothing out a dip & sink when the voltage rises again. Typically modern boards are designed carefully with this in mind but it seems this is the limiting factor on many commercial circuits now, eg monitors &c.

So in a sense your question is right: the fluctuations can age components, but this is something normally designed for & calculated to get the product life-time desired for that product.

As also suggested above, power supply transients can stress other components.  Equipment in areas with many transients could be expected to have shorter life.

If this is off-point: maybe try more detail in your question.

Answer 2

I don't think so. AC generators make a pretty good sine wave. While the voltage and frequency may vary a bit it should not harm a reasonably well designed system.

Some inverter systems on the other hand can inject a lot of harmonics that could cause a malfunction. A line filter can help with this.  

Answer 3

Well, yeah, it is "possible" that the fluctuations could be a detriment to some electronic devices.  I really don't know the answer with any certainty.  If you are concerned, you could always install a small uninterruptable power supply (UPS) such as the type that are sold for computers.  Be careful though.  Some computer UPSs actually put out a square wave instead of sine wave.  This might cause more damage to some type of equipment than a dirty sine wave.  'sorry I can't give a more definitive answer.