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BASIC ELECTRICAL

ENGINEERING

Course seminar on;


….What you've just experienced is an example of an alternator breathing
its last breath.

Your first thought might have been the battery is dying. In a sense, you
would be right because the battery and the alternator are related, but the
battery tends to get all the press.

This presentation aims to explain the mechanics of alternators, how you


can diagnose problems and what you can do if you have a bad alternator.

You will come to now to some background information about alternators


and the war of the currents.
An automotive charging system is made up of three major
components: the battery, the voltage regulator and an
alternator.

The alternator works with the battery to generate power for


the electrical components of a vehicle, like the interior and
exterior lights, and the instrument panel. An alternator gets
its name from the term alternating current (AC)
Alternators produce AC power through electromagnetism formed
through the stator and rotor

The electricity is channeled into the battery, providing voltage to run


the various electrical systems.

Alternators are typically found near the front of the engine and are
driven by the crankshaft, which converts the pistons' up-and-down
movement into circular movement.

Most cars today have a serpentine belt, or one belt that drives all
components that rely on crankshaft power. Most alternators are mounted
using brackets that bolt to a specific point on the engine. One of the
brackets is usually a fixed point, while the other is adjustable to tighten
the drive belt.
IG
ALTERNATOR COMPONENTS

On the back side of the alternator you'll find several


terminals (or connecting points in an electrical circuit). Let's
take a look at those:

S terminal - Senses battery voltage


IG terminal - Ignition switch that turns the voltage
regulator on
L terminal - Closes the circuit to the warning lamp
B terminal - Main alternator output terminal (connected to
the battery)
F terminal - Full-field bypass for regulator
ALTERNATOR COMPONENTS
As we start to disassemble the alternator, we find :

1. The diode rectifier: The regulator distributes the power the alternator
creates, and it controls the output of power to the battery

2. The voltage regulator: The rectifier bridge converts the power

3 .Slip rings

both help to conduct current to the rotor field winding,

4. Brushes:

5. The alternator reveals a large cylinder with triangular finger poles around
the circumference. This is the rotor
•The rotor spins inside the stator.

• The rotor assembly fits inside


the stator with tolerance between
the two, so the rotor can spin at
high speeds without striking the
stator wall.

•On each end of the shaft sits a


brush and a slip ring.
In the early days, cars used generators rather than alternators
to power the vehicle's electrical system and charge the battery

Generators produce direct current, which travels in one


direction, as opposed to the alternating current for the
electricity in our houses, which periodically reverses directions.

Alternating current became more attractive as it generates


higher voltage more efficiently, But car batteries can't use AC
power since they produce DC power.

As a result, the alternator's power output is fed through


diodes, which convert the AC power to DC power.
The rotor and the stator are the two components that generate
power.

As the engine rotates the alternator pulley, This is referred to


as a three-phase current.

This AC current is fed through stator leads into a connecting


set of diodes. Two diodes connect to each stator lead to
regulate the current.

The diodes are used to essentially block and direct the


current.

Since batteries need DC current, the diodes become a one-


way valve that will only allow current to pass in the same
direction.
DELTA WOUND WYE STYLE

Delta wound are easily Wye windings resemble


identifiable by their shape, the flux capacitor
as they're triangular

These windings allow for a These windings are ideal


high current flow at lower for diesel engines, as they
RPM produce higher voltage
than delta stators at even
lower RPM.

THE TWO BASIC STATOR WINDING DESIGNS


The resulting voltage is ready to use in the battery.
Too much or too little voltage can damage the battery,
as well as other electrical components

To ensure the correct amount, a voltage regulator


determines when and how much voltage is needed in
the battery.

One of two types of regulators are found in most


alternators: The grounded regulator works by
controlling the amount of negative or battery ground
going into the winding in the rotor, while a grounded
field type works vice versa
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF AN ALTERNATOR

Bearing failure: The needle bearings that allow


the rotor to spin freely inside the stator can break
down from dirt and heat

When the bearings fail, the rotor will not


spin efficiently and can eventually seize.

Usually an alternator with bearings failure


makes a loud grinding noise
Stator windings : Test whether your car had an issue
with one of its stator windings, you'd need to use a
voltmeter to check the voltage . This is called a load test

If you have a failing alternator, the voltage will be well


below 14 volts. If so, it's time to replace the alternator.

Serpentine belt : If the belt is worn or loose, the


alternator won't function properly. A bad belt is easy to
replace
bearings Voltmeter

Alternator stator

Serpentine belt
ALTERNATOR S ,THE POWER SUPPLIER
Alternators are less expensive than say, a power
steering pump or air conditioner compressor
Batteries can only be recharged so many times
before they'll lose their ability to hold a charge
A bad alternator will ruin a good battery if you
don't address it quickly.
High-output alternators have become popular
with custom car shops and in high-performance
cars.
Some custom shops are even installing dual-
alternator systems to handle the additional
Presented by,

Vedavyas P. Burli

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