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 | A Typical Alternator |
Alternator: The alternator uses the principle of electromagnetism induction to produce voltage and current. A magnet, called a rotor, is rotated inside a stationary looped conductor, called a stator, to generate a voltage.
| The strength and polarity of the voltage is dependent on the direction of rotation, the strength of the magnetic field, the number of conductors and the speed of the rotor inside the stator. This type of generator puts out AC voltage, hence an alternator instead of a generator, while an car is operated on DC current.
To convert the AC voltage into DC voltage a series of diodes are used. A diode is an electrical one way check valve that allows current to flow in one direction only. By allowing current to flow in only one direction, we are able to convert alternating current to direct current.
Another big difference between an AC alternator and a DC generator, is that an alternator will put out a large current flow at low speed, while a generator needs high speed to put out high current flow. As mentioned earlier voltage output is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field. The magnetic field is created by applying current to the stator from the Voltage Regulator. | | :: Recommended Reading / Videos :: | | |
| :: Recommended material containing aditional info about Alternator :: |
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