Simulation and measurement of a voltage regulator of an automotive generator

This paper presents a Matlab/Simulink based simulation model of a voltage regulator of an automotive generator in order to get information about its behaviour at different operation conditions. The model takes into consideration the nonlinearity because of saturation of the magnetic flux and the effect of the shaft speed on to the internal impedance. The simulated results are compared to those that are available in the literature and to the results gained from real system measurements. Laboratory test rig is developed to study its operation in different conditions. In contrast to general spread methods in this area the measurement results are plotted in 3D to emphasise the hidden operation faults. It is very difficult to present such a complex system in only few pages.