Alternators - DELCO-REMY With Integral Regulator: Operation

Two brushes carry current through the slip rings to the field coil mounted on the rotor. The stator windings are assembled on the inside of a laminated core that forms part of the alternator frame. A rectifier bridge connected to the stator windings contains 6 diodes (three positive and three negative) molded into an assembly. This rectifier bridge changes stator a.c. voltage into d.c. voltage which appears at output terminal. The blocking action of the diodes prevents battery discharge back through the alternator. Because of this blocking action the need for a cutout relay is eliminated. Generator field current is supplied through a diode trio which is also connected to the stator windings. A capacitor is mounted in the end frame and protects rectifier bridge and diodes from high voltages.