Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
KEVIN R. SULLIVAN
PROFESSOR OF
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
AT SKYLINE COLLEGE
SAN BRUNO, CALIFORNIA
http://www.autoshop101.com
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
Four wires connect the alternator to the rest of the charging system.
B is the alternator output wire that supplies current to the battery.
IG is the ignition input that turns on the alternator/regulator assembly.
S is used by the regulator to monitor charging voltage at the battery.
L is the wire the regulator uses to ground the charge warning lamp.
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
B Terminal
Alternator Output
Terminal to Battery
IG Terminal
Ignition Switch Signal
Turns Regulator ON
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
Alternator Assembly
Drive Frame Cover Identification End Frame Cover
Label
Circulation Vent
Alternator B+
Output Terminal
Mounting Ear
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
Electronic
IC Regulator The regulator is the brain of the
charging system.
Rotor Assembly
Internal Cooling Fan Finger Poles Rotor Field Winding
Bearing Internal
Cooling Fan
Rotor Assembly
A basic rotor consists of a iron
core, coil winding, two slip rings,
and two claw-shaped finger pole
pieces.
Alternating
Magnetic Field
The rotor field winding creates
the magnetic field that induces
North Field voltage into the stator.
Stator Winding
Stator Neutral
Lead Ends Junction
Laminated Iron
Frame
Three Phase
Windings
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
Rotor / Stator
Relationship
As the rotor assembly rotates
within the stator winding.
Ground Points
B Terminal
P Terminal
Stator Taps
Attaches to
Stator Windings Positive Diodes
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan
Diodes
Diodes are used as one-way
electrical check valves. Passing
current in only one direction,
never in reverse.
Rectifier Operation
In red you can see B+ current
pass through to the rectifier as
it goes to the battery. In green
you can see the return path.
Electronic Regulator
Heat Sink S Terminal L Terminal
Senses Battery Voltage Warning Lamp
IG Terminal
Ignition Switch Signal
Turns Regulator ON
Regulator B Terminal
Ground Connects to Alternator
Output Terminal
Regulator Types
Any one of two regulator
REGULATOR ALTERNATOR
designs can be used.
B+
Field
Coil The Grounded Field type.
The regulator controls the
amount of B+ going to the
field winding in the rotor.
ALTERNATOR
REGULATOR The Grounded Regulator
type. The regulator
Field controls the amount
Coil
battery ground (negative)
B+ going to the field winding
in the rotor.
Understanding the Alternator
Kevin Sullivan, all rights reserved. www.smcccd.cc.ca.us/smcccd/faculty/sullivan