The orginal question can't be answered without knowing the specifics of the particular system in question. Because of the wide variety of electrical operating system configurations in use among individual aircraft designs, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer.
An alternator is an electrical generator. It produces electricity. In almost all aircraft systems, it is capable of powering most of the various electrical busses at any given time, with or without the availability of the battery.
The battery is usually capable of power some or all of the electrical systems on board. On some aircraft, generators/alternators must be in operation in order to power some systems. This is done to prevent an excessive load on the battery. The battery will support a limited load for a limited period of time.
The electrical system is designed to operate within a very narrow voltage band. The highest voltage attached to the system at any given time may be said to be operating the system. If that voltage is higher than the battery voltage, then the battery will be receiving support from that higher voltage, if the battery is connected to the system.
The battery may be separated from the electrical system using the battery master relay, which, when opened, serves to prevent electrical flow between the aircraft battery bus and the battery.
NiCad Batteries and Lead Acid batteries are very different in characteristics, limitations, and capabilities. Both have the same basic property in that they serve to provide a limted source of electrical voltage, and both receive electricity continuously when a higher voltage source such as a generator or alternator is operating, and the battery master is closed to attach the battery switch to the electrical system.
The electrical system is comprised of a number of "busses," or sites that are served by various electrical sources. Each buss serves specific items in the aircraft, such as hydraulic pumps, avionics inverters, etc. Some busses may be served by the battery when everything is turned off, and these are called "hot battery busses" because they get electricity all the time. Typically these are critical items and small things such entry or compartment lights that may be activated without supplying power to the entire aircraft electrical system.
In flight, the aircraft electrical system is being powered by whatever is providing the highest voltage at the time, to the aircraft electrical system. This may be the battery, or it may be the alternator or generator. A generator that experiences a low voltage situation will be taken off line and the aircraft battery may be drained, if it's the only other source of electricity, it's attached to the aircraft bus system, and it's the highest source of voltage. A generator which experiences an over voltage system will generally get taken off line by a regulator, generator control unit, or other system protection, and other sources will continue to provide the electricity.
At any given time, an alternator, generator, or the battery may be providing the operating power for your aircraft electrical systems, depending on the configuration and system status at the time.
An alternator is an electrical generator. It produces electricity. In almost all aircraft systems, it is capable of powering most of the various electrical busses at any given time, with or without the availability of the battery.
The battery is usually capable of power some or all of the electrical systems on board. On some aircraft, generators/alternators must be in operation in order to power some systems. This is done to prevent an excessive load on the battery. The battery will support a limited load for a limited period of time.
The electrical system is designed to operate within a very narrow voltage band. The highest voltage attached to the system at any given time may be said to be operating the system. If that voltage is higher than the battery voltage, then the battery will be receiving support from that higher voltage, if the battery is connected to the system.
The battery may be separated from the electrical system using the battery master relay, which, when opened, serves to prevent electrical flow between the aircraft battery bus and the battery.
NiCad Batteries and Lead Acid batteries are very different in characteristics, limitations, and capabilities. Both have the same basic property in that they serve to provide a limted source of electrical voltage, and both receive electricity continuously when a higher voltage source such as a generator or alternator is operating, and the battery master is closed to attach the battery switch to the electrical system.
The electrical system is comprised of a number of "busses," or sites that are served by various electrical sources. Each buss serves specific items in the aircraft, such as hydraulic pumps, avionics inverters, etc. Some busses may be served by the battery when everything is turned off, and these are called "hot battery busses" because they get electricity all the time. Typically these are critical items and small things such entry or compartment lights that may be activated without supplying power to the entire aircraft electrical system.
In flight, the aircraft electrical system is being powered by whatever is providing the highest voltage at the time, to the aircraft electrical system. This may be the battery, or it may be the alternator or generator. A generator that experiences a low voltage situation will be taken off line and the aircraft battery may be drained, if it's the only other source of electricity, it's attached to the aircraft bus system, and it's the highest source of voltage. A generator which experiences an over voltage system will generally get taken off line by a regulator, generator control unit, or other system protection, and other sources will continue to provide the electricity.
At any given time, an alternator, generator, or the battery may be providing the operating power for your aircraft electrical systems, depending on the configuration and system status at the time.