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There are several important parts under the hood of a vehicle that help it run effectively. They include components that help provide electrical power to various systems. Among them is the alternator, which creates electrical energy from mechanical energy using alternating current (AC).
Knowing what an alternator does and how it operates is helpful when you own a vehicle, and necessary if you’re considering pursuing a career working on cars. Keep reading this guide to learn all about alternators and why they’re important!
The alternator is responsible for helping provide electrical power to different parts in a vehicle. It differs from a battery, which is a key component that helps start the engine. Once the battery does its job, the alternator takes over to help keep the car running.
So, what does an alternator do? As stated before, the alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The crankshaft in a vehicle utilizes a serpentine belt, or V-belt, to drive the alternator, which moves the rotor within the alternator at a high speed.
As this rotor spins, electricity is created. There are magnets inside the alternator that allow the AC to convert the mechanical energy generated into electricity. Power gets sent to a voltage regulator that distributes electricity to different parts of the car.
Parts powered by the alternator include a variety of electrical components, from headlights to electric steering and power windows. The alternator also has the task of charging the battery.
Car batteries operate on direct current (DC) power, not the AC current that alternators produce. Before energy from the alternator can be sent to the battery, it needs to be converted.
Prior to going through a voltage regulator, power gets sent through a diode rectifier that turns it into DC that the battery can absorb. This allows it to recharge.
While most alternators are built to last a long time, there are parts in them that can wear out over time. Overuse, heat damage and general wear can diminish the health of an alternator. Without a working alternator, a vehicle can encounter a range of issues.
Here are some indications that your alternator may be starting to fail:
It’s a good idea to get your vehicle looked at whenever you’re experiencing anything out of the ordinary to ensure parts are working properly. The alternator is an important component in your vehicle’s electrical system that you want to keep in good condition!
A great way to improve your skills working on vehicles is to train to become an automotive technician. Not only could you learn how to maintain and work on your own vehicle, but you could work toward a hands-on career in a growing industry.
Total auto technician employment is expected to be 743,800 by 2031.47 Attending a trade school like Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is a great way to gain the education you need for an entry-level position in the industry.1
The Automotive Technology program offered at UTI can help give you the hands-on experience and training employers are looking for. Courses cover a range of topics, like the various electrical systems and parts in vehicles, including alternators.
Want to find out more? Request more information here, or call 800-834-7308.
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What are the basic parts of a car and how do they work? Learn about them here.
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
47) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics will be 743,800 by 2031. See Table 1.2 Employment by detailed occupation, 2021 and projected 2031, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed October 13, 2022. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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