AC-Generators - An AC generator consists of an alternator that provides welding current. It is driven by an AC motor or a diesel engine, with the latter type being the more common of the two.
A typical alternator design normally places the magnetic field coils on the rotor and the armature coils in the stator. This configuration precludes the necessity of the commutator and the brushes used with DC output generators.
An AC generator may deliver current at normal frequency (60 Hz) or high frequency. The frequency of the output welding current is controlled by the speed of rotation of the rotor assembly and by the number of poles in the alternator design.
