Posts Tagged: AC ripple

Alternator AC ripple: What it is and how to test for it

Understanding Alternator AC Ripple: What It Is, How Much Is Too Much, and How to Test It Modern alternators/generators produce an AC voltage that’s converted into DC voltage using diode rectifiers. In simple terms, a diode rectifier is an electrical one-way valve that allows AC current to flow one way (it’s more complicated, but let’s go with this explanation). The rectifier “bridge” contains 3-8 diodes that allow only the negative portion of the AC sine way to pass to ground. However, there’s always some AC voltage left over after the … Read More