Guardian Technologies 4456 Operational Analysis, Rotor Residual Magnetism, Field Boost, Section

AC GENERATORS

PART 2

SECTION 2.2

OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS

ROTOR RESIDUAL MAGNETISM

The generator revolving field (rotor) may be considered to be a permanent magnet. Some ’residual" magnetism is always present in the rotor. This residual magnetism is sufficient to induce a voltage into the stator AC power windings that is approximately 2-12 volts AC.

FIELD BOOST

FIELD BOOST CIRCUIT:

When the engine is cranking, direct current flow is delivered from a circuit board to the generator rotor windings, via Wire 4.

The field boost system is shown schematically in Figure 2. Manual and automatic engine cranking is initiated by circuit board action, when that circuit board energizes a crank relay (K1). Battery voltage is then delivered to field boost Wire 4 (and to the rotor), via a field boost resistor and diode. The crank relay, field boost resistor and diode are all located on the circuit board.

Notice that field boost current is available only while the crank relay (K1) is energized, i.e., while the engine is cranking.

Field boost voltage is reduced from that of battery voltage by the resistor action and, when read with a DC voltmeter, will be approximately 9 or 10 volts DC.

Figure 2. Field Boost Circuit Schematic

Figure 1. Operating Diagram of AC Generator

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