Summary
The main components of an alternator are the stator, the rotor, a slip-ring and brush assembly, a rectifier, two end-frames, and a cooling fan.
The alternator consists of:
- A stationary winding assembly, called the stator.
- A rotating electro-magnet, the rotor.
- A slip-ring and brush assembly.
- A rectifier assembly.
- Two end-frames.
- And a cooling fan.
A voltage regulator monitors battery voltage and varies current flow through the rotor field circuit, and thus controls the strength of the rotating magnetic field. This keeps system voltage to a safe level.
