Automotive Electrical and Electronic Systems Classroom Manual Fifth Edition Update by John F. Kershaw

8
Charging
System
Operation
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion and review of this chapter, you
should be able to:
• Identify charging system development and
principles.
• Explain the operation of a DC generator.
• Identify AC charging system components
and explain charging voltage.
• Explain diode rectification.
• Identify AC generator components and
explain their function.
• Explain current production in an AC generator
(alternator) operation.
• Identify different OEM AC generators and
explain those differences.
• Explain how voltage is regulated in an AC
generator.
• Identify the different types of voltage regulators
and explain how they operate.
KEY TERMS
AC Generators
Delta-Type Stator
Diode
Field Circuit
Full-Wave Rectification
Half-Wave Rectification
Output Circuit
Rotor
Sine Wave Voltage
Single-Phase Current
Single-Phase Voltage
Sliprings and Brushes
Stator
Three-phase Current
Voltage Regulator
Y-Type Stator
INTRODUCTION
The charging system converts the engine’s
mechanical energy into electrical energy. This
electrical energy is used to maintain the battery’s
state of charge and to operate the loads of the automotive
electrical system. In this chapter we will
use the conventional theory of current: Electrons
move from positive to negative ( to ).
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