Definition
The magnetic field inside a generator that the rotating armature passes through to produce electrical output. It is created by current flowing through field windings (electromagnets) wrapped around the generator's pole pieces. The strength of this field is varied by a voltage regulator to control the generator's output voltage.
Plain English
The magnetic part of a generator that the spinning wires move through to make electricity. By making this magnet stronger or weaker, the generator can be made to put out more or less voltage.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical system descriptions, charging-system checks, and generator troubleshooting.
Derivation
"Field" here is the older electrical-engineering term for the region of magnetic force inside a generator, borrowed from physics where a "field" is any area in which a force acts. It dates from the 1800s when generators were first built and engineers needed a name for the magnetic space the armature spun through.
Why Pilots Care
A faulty generator field stops the battery from charging and can cause loss of electrical power in flight.
Grounding Statement
A generator needs a magnetic field before it can produce useful electrical power.
Intuition Check
Field does not mean an airport, runway area, or open piece of land here. It means the magnetic part of the generator that makes electrical output possible.
Example Sentence 1
When the voltage regulator increases current to the generator field, the generator's output voltage rises.
Example Sentence 2
A short in the generator field prevented the battery from charging during the cross-country flight.