Alternator Regulators: Description

Regulates electrical system voltage by limiting output voltage generated by alternator. This is accomplished by controlling amount of current that is allowed to pass through alternator field winding. Regulator has no moving parts and requires no adjustment after it is set at factory. Unit contains several, semiconductor components, transistors and diodes plus some resistors and a capacitor. A large transistor is placed in series with alternator field winding and a control circuit which senses system voltage and turns transistor on and off as required. As alternator speed and electrical system load conditions change, control circuit is turning transistor on and off many times per second most of the time engine is in operation. The only time transistor is not turning on and off rapidly, is during low engine speed operation when high electrical loads are present (which require alternator field to be in the "ON" state continuously). Electronic regulator control circuit can also vary the regulated system voltage up or down as temperature changes.