Alternator: Description and Operation

Fig. 5 Exploded View Of Alternator Assembly:

The alternator is a self ventilating type which consists essentially of a pulley, front cover, rotor with fan blades, stator and rear cover, Fig. 5. It also incorporates an IC regulator, and silicone diodes are installed on the rear cover. These silicone diodes change the Alternating Current (AC) produced in the stator coil to Direct Current (DC).
When the rotor assembly is rotated, magnetic fluxes created in the stator coil change. This causes a electromotive force to be produced on the upper end of the stator coil in the left turn direction and an electromotive force to be produced on the lower end in the right turn direction. When the rotor is turned 180°, then electromotive force changes in its direction, the upper and lower ends of the coil alternate becoming north then south poles, producing an AC voltage in the coil. This AC is rectified to DC by silicone diodes and is then regulated by the IC regulator.