Does it matter if car alternator runs clockwise or counter clockwise???

Question

Does it matter if car alternator runs clockwise or counter clockwise???

Answer 1

Alternators produce AC current. AC current does not have a positive and a negative as DC does. That is why your home AC power has a "live" and a "neutral" wire rather than a positive and a negative. AC current flows back and forth - it Alternates - hence Alternating Current. DC current flows in one direction, from positive to negative. Thats why it is called "Direct" current.

The AC produced by an alternator is converted to DC by a diode bridge. Diodes allow electricity to flow in one direction only, so the alternating current becomes a curerent with direction, ie, DC.

Thus, it does not matter which way an alternator spins, it will always produce DC with the correct polarity.

HOWEVER, alternators get hot when in use. They are fitted with a cooling fan that usually works in one direction only. To run the alternator in reverse it is necessary to find a fan that works in reverse or the unit will over heat and die  :-(

 

(Don't think I have ever seen so many wrong answers to a question - makes you realise how hopeless contributor based answer banks can be!)