Fault diagnosis in automotive alternators based on the output voltage parameters

Based on analytical studies, it has been established that for automotive alternators the amplitude of the output voltage ripple can be considered a diagnostic parameter indicative of the occurrence of faults leading to its failure. Changing structural parameters in the course of physical modeling provided a way to establish thresholds for the occurrence and development of the most common electrical faults in automotive alternators. Results of experimental research confirm the relationship between structural and diagnostic parameters that was established analytically. Analysis of the obtained data suggests that it is possible to diagnose a fault, which in near future will lead to failure of the automotive alternator, in advance, based on the output voltage parameters.