Date: 202201
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: C90.TRACON, IL
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: AC Generator/Alternator
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Troubleshooting
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: On departure from ZZZ; ED2 displayed many temporary messages and I noticed an intermittent FMS flag on PFD1. The FO (First Officer) reported a burnt plastic smell; and GEN 1 went offline with a GEN1 caution message.  Since the APU was deferred; we were single gen.  We requested our present heading and a level off altitude; which ATC gave us.  We complied with the QRH for GEN1 caution; and the message did not clear.  We requested priority handling.  We messaged Dispatch that we wanted to return ZZZ; Dispatch agreed; and we requested delay vectors to burn off fuel.  L window; and L windshield caution messages were still posted from the initial round of messages.  We completed the QRH for L windshield and the messages cleared.  We requested landing on XXC and said we would advise approach when we were ready.  We talked to the FA (Flight Attendant); then briefed the passengers; saying we would be returning to ZZZ as a precaution; we would be on the ground in about 40 minutes; airport equipment might be standing by as a precaution; and we expected a normal landing.  We prepared for the approach; accomplished all checklists and returned to ZZZ.  We landed below max landing weight.  ARFF was standing by; so we requested they inspect the left engine.  They reported no smoke or leaking so we requested taxi to the gate.  I asked the crew if they were okay; they said yes.  No passengers reported being distressed.We decided since there was no apparent indication that there was a fire to decline ARFF (Airport Rescue Fire Fighting) services initially.  Perhaps we should have requested them regardless.  Based on recommendations of our previous [supervisor]; we decided to request priority handling as a precaution.  The benefits of priority handling seemed necessary for us in the event the situation deteriorated.  This is also why I requested Runway XXC.  It was the closest runway for the airport's configuration at the time.  My thinking was that if a fire started; we should be prepared for the approach which would minimize the distance traveled as well as the aircraft that might need to be vectored out of our way.  It also made sense to me to use a runway that was already in use if we did not require special handling.  Those were the things I saw as risk factors for landing after an inflight fire.  We also considered some of the airports below us as we received delay vectors.  I am open to suggestions from the [Review Team] about how I might improve my decision-making skills as it relates to this scenario.




Synopsis: Captain reported electrical problems caused an air turn back and precautionary landing.