Diploma in Dynamos/Alternators and Mechanical Regulators
600-hour online postgraduate diploma in classic vehicle charging systems: dynamo and alternator repair, setting mechanical contact regulators, batteries, wiring and instrumentation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Dynamos/Alternators and Mechanical Regulators — studying from Ireland
Ireland's regulated industries, including aviation, medical devices, energy, transport and food, require rigorous safety, reliability and compliance processes. Engineers in regulation, safety and homologation roles prepare certification evidence, perform reliability and risk analysis and manage conformity assessment. Key regulators such as the Health and Safety Authority, the Irish Aviation Authority and the Health Products Regulatory Authority set requirements that span multiple sectors. National standards are maintained by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, which represents Ireland within European and international standardisation.
Fees for Ireland: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies handle regulation and homologation, and does this qualification relate to them?
In Ireland, regulatory and safety matters involve bodies such as the Health and Safety Authority and the National Standards Authority of Ireland for standards work. Professional engineering status is typically pursued through Engineers Ireland. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so they do not grant registration, approval or homologation rights.
How do Irish employers in RAMS and safety-critical sectors regard private online qualifications?
Employers in safety-critical industries in Ireland usually require verifiable competence and recognised certifications for RAMS and homologation roles. A private online qualification may complement your experience, but whether it counts is entirely at the employer's discretion. There is no guarantee of recognition or of any role.
How much time does the programme take, and can I pay in instalments?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Ireland at your own pace. Durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible if your company agrees, and each student receives an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Draw up the electrical balance of a six, twelve or twenty-four volt period installation.
Diagnose and repair a dynamo: armature, commutator, field coils, brushes and bearings.
Set mechanical voltage, current and cut-out regulators with a controlled resistive load.
Test and repair classic alternators, their diode bridge and regulator.
Size wiring, earths and protection devices and measure parasitic drain at rest.
Calibrate and repair dashboard charging instruments.
Bench-test machines, obtain their output curves and write the repair report.
Who it's for
- Auto electricians who work on classic vehicles with dynamos or early alternators.
- Historic vehicle restorers who want to restore the original charging system.
- Rewinding workshops repairing rotating electrical machines.
- Marque club technical officers advising on electrical reliability on the road.
- Advanced classic car owners with their own workshop.
- Electrical or automotive engineering graduates interested in period electrics.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60034-1 (rotating electrical machines: rating and performance)
- IEC 60095-1 (lead-acid starter batteries)
- ISO 6722-1 (low-voltage cables for road vehicles)
- ISO 8820 (fuse-links for road vehicles)
- Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish historic vehicle regulation)
- Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness testing of vehicles)
- FIVA Technical Code (originality criteria for historic vehicles)
8 modules
1.1The law of induction applied to the dynamo1.2Shunt excitation and self-excitation1.3Voltage versus speed curve1.4Electrical balance of a period installation1.5Positive-earth and negative-earth systems1.6Six, twelve and twenty-four volt installations1.7The battery as a stabiliser1.8Friction losses and overall efficiency1.9Belt drive ratio1.10Initial diagnosis with voltmeter and ammeter
2.1Armature, commutator and condition of the segments2.2Short-circuit and earth leakage tests2.3Skimming the commutator and undercutting the insulation2.4Field coils and continuity check2.5Brushes, brush holders and spring pressure2.6Bearings, bushes and end float2.7Re-impregnation with insulating varnish2.8Balancing the armature at its operating speed2.9Bench test and resulting curve2.10Correct polarisation after assembly
3.1Single-element voltage regulator3.2Voltage, current and cut-out assembly3.3How the cut-out works3.4Setting the air gap and spring tension3.5Cleaning and dressing silver contacts3.6Thermal compensation with a bimetal strip3.7Setting with a controlled resistive load3.8Symptoms of battery overcharging3.9Typical faults and their diagnosis3.10Replacement with a concealed electronic regulator
4.1Claw-pole rotor and slip rings4.2Three-phase stator and star connection4.3Diode bridge and testing each leg4.4Field diodes and charge warning light4.5Built-in mechanical and electronic regulators4.6Measuring leakage current and ripple4.7Replacing bearings and slip rings4.8Rewinding the stator and insulation4.9Alternator bench testing4.10Reversible dynamo-to-alternator conversion
5.1Starter motor with field coils and solenoid5.2Cranking current and voltage drop5.3Lead-acid batteries and their maintenance5.4Electrolyte specific gravity and load test5.5Cable cross-section by current and length5.6Earths, terminals and contact resistance5.7Period fuses and protection devices5.8Battery master switch5.9Twin-battery installations5.10Measuring parasitic drain at rest
6.1Dashboard ammeter and its connection6.2Voltmeter and correct reading of charge6.3Warning lamp and switching logic6.4Repairing moving-coil instruments6.5Calibration against a reference standard6.6Panel lighting and series resistors6.7Switches, keys and contact condition6.8Diagnosing erratic readings6.9Restoring dials and needles6.10Documenting reference values
7.1Mounting and driving on a motorised bench7.2Variable resistive load and power measurement7.3Output curves versus speed7.4Extended heat-soak test7.5Insulation test with a megohmmeter7.6Checking noise and vibration7.7Mileage-based maintenance plan7.8Storage and preservation of parts7.9Discontinued spares and bespoke manufacture7.10Repair report and warranty offered
8.1Defining the scope and the chosen vehicle8.2Initial diagnosis and measured electrical balance8.3Strip-down and assessment of each component8.4Repair plan and parts list8.5Repairing the machine and the regulator8.6Bench setting and resulting curves8.7Fitting to the vehicle and road verification8.8Review by an auto electrician8.9Defence before a panel with the measured curves8.10Submission of the report and settings sheet
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PicoScope, Excel, KiCad, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Cases are studied on real machines tested on a motorised bench with a variable resistive load and on original classic vehicle electrical installations. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrated project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 600 hours over 6–9 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PicoScope, Excel and KiCad, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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