Definition
A resistor connected in a generator's circuit so that two or more generators operating in parallel share the electrical load equally. It senses any imbalance between generators and feeds a small correcting signal to the voltage regulators, causing each generator to carry its fair share of the total current.
Plain English
A small electrical part that makes sure two or more generators on the aircraft pull their weight evenly, instead of one doing most of the work while the other coasts.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical and avionics maintenance, especially in power-supply circuits that use capacitors connected in series.
Derivation
From 'equalize' (to make equal) and 'resistor' (a component that resists electrical current). The name describes its job: it uses resistance to equalize the load between generators.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps battery capacity consistent and prevents cell damage that could lead to electrical failures in flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “equalizing” as making the whole circuit equal in every way. Here it means balancing the voltage across parts that are connected in a row.
Example Sentence 1
During troubleshooting of an unbalanced generator load, the technician checked the equalizing resistor and its connections.
Example Sentence 2
After charging, the mechanic measured cell voltages to confirm the equalizing resistors had kept all cells balanced.