Anatomy of an Alternator

Alternators are part of a car's electric power system.

A car's engine houses a variety of different devices, including the alternator. Without this electrical assembly, the vehicle will not function electrically, eventually shutting the entire car down.

Function

Alternators provide alternating current (AC) so that the battery and the rest of the vehicle's electrical components stay powered. Components that need this electricity can include the headlights or the air conditioning.

Features

The alternator is comprised of a rotor and stator. The rotor spins inside the stator, while direct current (DC) is fed in from the car's battery to the rotor through brushes. As the rotor spins, AC is generated by electromagnetism and is subsequently put through a diode rectifier converting the AC into the functional DC the vehicle's electrical components use.

Significance

The alternator is necessary to keep the battery charged. If the alternator fails, the battery runs on reserve power until it has been exhausted, leaving the vehicle without electrical power.

References

• Second Chance Garage: Generators and Alternators