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An electric generator is a device that is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. It is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, discovered by British scientist Michael Faraday. The principle states that when an electric conductor, such as a copper wire, is moved through a magnetic field, electric current will flow through the conductor. 

Generators create electron movement in the copper wire coils contained within by moving them through a magnetic field.Small generators create a magnetic field with permanent magnets. Larger generators create a magnetic field with a set of metal coils with electric current flowing through them; this is an electromagnet.The force used to move the conductor can be provided by many sources, such as moving water, steam, wind, gas engine or even hand-cranked levers.The electrical energy created is directly proportional to the rate of change of flux.The number of moving electrons is called the amperage or the current and is measured in amps. The pressure pushing the electrons is called the voltage and is measured in volts.