What component of a generator primarily induces voltage into the stator winding?

The component of a generator that primarily induces voltage into the stator winding is the rotor. In a typical generator, the rotor is the rotating part that generates a magnetic field. As the rotor spins, it creates a changing magnetic field around the stator windings, according to the principles of electromagnetic induction. This changing magnetic field induces an alternating current (AC) voltage in the stator windings, which is then harnessed for use in the electrical grid or other applications.

The stator, in contrast, is the stationary part of the generator that contains the windings where the voltage is induced, but it does not generate the magnetic field itself. The rectifier is used to convert AC to direct current (DC) and is not involved in the initial voltage induction process. A transformer, on the other hand, is used for voltage level changes and does not induce voltage itself; it requires an AC input to operate. Hence, the rotor is the primary component responsible for inducing voltage in the generator's stator winding.