Alternator Functional Diagram

Alternator Functional Diagram

DC Current
Applied to the
Rotor

Alternator Functional Diagram

3- AC Output
from the Stator

DC Current
Applied to the
Rotor

Alternator Functional Diagram

3- AC Output
from the Stator

DC Current
Applied to the
Rotor

Six Output Diodes

Two per Phase
Full-Wave Rectifier

Alternator Functional Diagram

3- AC Output
from the Stator

DC Current
Applied to the
Rotor
Three Diodes
One per Phase Sample
Battery Voltage

Six Output Diodes

Two per Phase
Full-Wave Rectifier

Alternator Functional Diagram

2 Inputs

Regulator Controls the

Amount of Field
Current applied to the
Rotor

Regulator Inputs
Control Voltage Input
Controls current
through the Rotor

Field Current Supply

One input from the
alternator via the
Diode Trio
Second input from the
battery via the warning
lamp

Regulator Action
If the battery voltage drops,
more current applied to the
rotor, increasing the
magnetic field strength,
increasing the alternator
voltage output.
If the battery voltage
increases, less field current
applied to the rotor, reducing
the alternator voltage output.

Field Current Supply

Two Sources
Alternator via the
diode trio
Battery via the warning
lamp

Turn ignition ON,

Source of field current
is the battery via the
ignition switch and the
warning lamp

Field Current Supply (continued)

After engine starts,
Alternator is up to
speed, output of diode
trio is fed back to the
regulator and serves
as the source of the
field current.

Alternator is now selfsustaining

Alternator Circuitry

Warning Lamp
Turn ignition ON,
Current flows through
warning lamp, transistors,
and field coil to ground,
causing the lamp to
illuminate.

Alternator at full output,

Voltage from diode trio
equals the battery voltage
equal voltage on both sides
of lamp
lamp goes out.

Warning Lamp (continued)

If the alternator fails,
Voltage out of diode
trio drops
Lamp illuminates from
the battery voltage

If the battery fails,

Battery voltage drops
Lamp illuminates from
the alternator voltage

Inside the Regulator

IC1+Ic2

Ic2

Field
Current
Ic1

Sample Battery Voltage

Regulator Circuit
When battery voltage
is OK,
D1 conducts
T2 conducts
Less current through
T1 collector
T3 turns Off
Field current now
reduced

Regulator Circuit (continued)

When battery voltage
is low,
D1 is Off
T2 is Off
More current flows
through T1collector
Transistor T3 turns On
Field current increases