What is Alternator and it’s construction

Rajamane Hegde
3 min readFeb 23, 2018

What is alternator?

Simple definition: An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy and used in automobiles to charge the battery. Alternator also called as SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR

Alternator established in the year of 1960 by Ford and general motors. In India, to produce electricity we used alternator.

Image source: google.co.in

Construction of Alternator:

Two major parts

1. Stator

2. Rotor

Stator is a stable part means it’s never rotate. Stator is known as armature. It’s an iron ring laminated by silicon steel with slots. Depending on speed of the machine slots can be closed, semi-closed or open. Very rare closed slots appear, commonly open slots used for operation because the coil can be freely wound and insulated properly.

Image sourece: google.co.in

Rotor is a main part which rotate within armature conductor or stator. Field placed in the shaft which contains electromagnets which are excited by pilot or main excitors.

Image source: google.co.in

It works on the principle of Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. Alternator also known as synchronous generator. A synchronous generator is an electromechanical device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form of AC. EMF means Electro Magnetic Field generate in coil while movement between coil and magnetic field. Alternator has two types of pole

1. Salient pole type

This pole used for low or medium speed alternators like 100 rpm to 1500 rpm due to large number of poles and more noise.

2. Smooth cylindrical pole-type

Smooth cylindrical pole-type also called as non-salient pole. Generally for high speed like 1500 rpm to 3000 rpm this pole used. Due to less pole like 2 to 4 poles speed is more. The cylindrical construction of the rotor gives better balance and quieter-operation and also less windage losses. Non-salient pole rotors are used in nuclear, gas and thermal power plants.

Alternator Failure:

1. Due to low voltage

2. Weak or damage battery

3. Weird smells

4. Odd sounds

5. fan cooling loss, bearing loss, iron loss, copper loss

Getting above problems? With this damage still motor running means wastage of money and time. Better show to any experts as soon as possible. Rajamanehegde is one of the leading Alternator Rewinding services in India established in the year of 1975 and offer 24/7 hrs. technical services.

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Rajamane Hegde

Rajamane Services Pvt Ltd is one in all the pioneers within the field of huge LT/ HT-AC/DC Electric motor repair services in India.