Spectral Analysis of Output Voltage of the Automotive Alternator

Electrical failures are the main reasons of automotive alternators breakdown; the output voltage parameters are used for identification of these failures. The insufficient information awareness in the initial stage of the failure development may be the disadvantage of such parameters as average value and voltage excursion. Spectral analysis of output voltage showed the occurrence of the fractional harmonics, the amplitude and the frequency of which are specific for the impending damages of automotive alternator. The failure-recognition algorithm was developed based on the qualitative analysis of spectrum of output analysis of automotive alternator. Use of spectral analysis during troubleshooting of automotive alternator improves considerably the efficiency and reliability of the obtained results.