Alternator monitoring methods and systems

Abstract

Methods and systems for monitoring an alternator are disclosed, A method (300) of monitoring an alternator comprises: receiving (302) alternator output data indicating an electrical output of an alternator; estimating (306) an expected excitation current in a rotor of the alternator from the alternator output data; estimating (308) an equivalent open circuit voltage of the alternator from the expected excitation current estimated; plotting (310) a characteristic test curve for the alternator using the estimated equivalent open circuit voltage and the measured excitation current in the rotor of the alternator; and assessing a condition of the rotor of the alternator using the characteristic test curve.