Why Are Alternators Subject To Ripple Voltage?

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Why Are Alternators Subject To Ripple Voltage?

The alternator produces an AC current that must be converted into DC current by way of a rectifier.

Brian Sexton
By Brian Sexton

Alternators have been used to charge the 12V DC electrical systems in vehicles since long before computers and networks were part of the equation. Just a few decades ago, the 12V DC electrical system wasn’t that vulnerable to ripple voltage. Today however, excessive ripple voltage can cause major communication issues across networks and can cause a number of communication DTCs to be set in multiple control modules.

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