Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Alternator: Description and Operation

OPERATION
With voltage applied, the regulator is activated, allowing current to flow from the A (sensing) circuit to the alternator field coil.

The alternator generates an AC output, which is converted to a DC output by a rectifier assembly internal to alternator; this DC output is then supplied to the vehicle through the B+ terminal.

The stator circuit is used to feed back a voltage signal from the alternator to the regulator, this voltage (typically half battery voltage) is used by the regulator to turn off the indicator.