How Do Alternators Work?
How do alternators work?
- Alternators Work Together With The Battery
- Alternators Have Different Supporting Components
- Alternators Operate in Phases
- Alternators Require Proper Maintenance
Did you know that the battery of your vehicle or heavy equipment is only one side of the story? The battery is able to provide electricity, however, the alternator is the one that generates the energy to feed the electronics and charge the battery. Alternators are also present in generators. Read on to learn more about how alternators work.
Alternators Work Together With The Battery
Alternators have a close relationship with a battery. The alternator works with the battery by providing the battery with the power to support the electrical components of the machine or vehicle. The science behind this is pretty easy. The output of an alternator is direct current. When the pulley of the alternator rotates, an alternating current passes through to create an electrical current. It will then be converted to a direct current using a rectifier.
Alternators Have Different Supporting Components
Alternators have different components to help it run properly. These components work together harmoniously to generate electricity to power and support the function of your equipment or vehicle. Learning about these parts can help you identify problems should they arise. Knowing how it functions will assist you with simple troubleshooting methods in case you need to do so. Here are the following components and their functions:
Regulator
Alternators have a voltage regulator that controls the amount of power distributed. It controls how much power goes into the battery to make sure that the charging process is running smoothly. Regulators can also be designed with different functions depending on what you get.
Rectifier
Alternators have a rectifier built in to convert alternating currents direct current throughout the charging process. Without this component, the alternator will be unable to do its job properly.
Rotor
A rotor is a spinning mass installed within the alternator. The job of the rotor is to rotate the pulley and the drive belt system. The rotor works as a spinning electromagnet to properly rotate the other components.
Slip Rings and Slip Ring End Bearing
Slip rings are used to provide direct current and power to the rotor. Together with the slip ring end bearing, these are designed to support the rotation of the rotor. This way, it stays in place without slip-ups.
Stator
A stator consists of coils of wires wound through an iron ring. This stator sits outside the rotor while a magnetic field is created. This magnetic field is then used to create an electrical current.
Pulley
Pulleys are connected to the rotor shaft and drive belt. The rotting motion of the drive belt system turns the pulley around to kickstart the charging process.
Alternators Operate in Phases
The alternator rotors spin within the stator to allow a current to flow through the voltage regulator. This then passes through the rotor coil. The rotor coil generates the magnetic field needed which then causes the voltage to move into the stator coils. Depending on the speed of the rotation, battery voltage, and the number of turns of the stator.
Three-phase alternators have three sets of windings that are guaranteed to work better than single-phase alternators. Single-phase alternators only produce single-phase AC currents. When the three-phase alternators are working cohesively, the final product is currents that make up three phases. Add all this together to produce a powerful AC outpost for the stator.
Alternators Require Proper Maintenance
Like all equipment, alternators can also be maintained to prevent failure which can kill your battery. However, how does an alternator begin to fail? Remember that alternators have moving parts. These parts can get dirty and can get worn from extreme temperatures. Gradually, the internal parts of the alternator will wear out if it’s not properly cared for. Having regulated maintenance and caring for your equipment daily will make sure that your alternator lasts.
Make sure that the bearings are properly cared for. The needle of the bearings can break down due to it and heat. Without this, your rotor will not spin and it will eventually seize from functioning. Usually, you can hear if the bearing is failing if there’s an audible grinding noise. It’s only a matter of time before your alternator gives in. Be sure to have it maintained on schedule, especially if you use the equipment daily. Newer models tend to last longer but it depends on where it’s manufactured.
Key Takeaway
Knowing how alternators work can help you choose the type of alternator you need. A bit of knowledge about this integral part of your machine can help you maintain and take care of it properly. When you choose your own alternator, choose a reputable brand with good after-sales service for the best quality. Alternators are generally affordable to replace but depending on the model it can get expensive. Be sure to keep the information mentioned in mind next time you choose an alternator.
