Method and apparatus for controlling a separately excited electrical generator in an electrical system of a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (10; 10a) for controlling an excitation voltage (Uerr) of a separately excited electrical generator (G) in an on-board network (B) of a motor vehicle, in which the excitation voltage (Uerr) under a scheme of an actual output voltage (Ugen) of the generator (G) to a predetermined target output voltage (Ugensoll) of the generator (G) is adjusted. In order also in case of abrupt and significant change in power demand of the on-board network (B) to avoid major deviations of the actual output voltage (Ugen) of the desired output voltage (Ugensoll) to effect appropriate control of the generator (G) is, according to the invention provided that, based on an evaluation of load requirements (h1, h2) at least one of the on-board network (B) supplied peak load consumer (SL1, SL2) exceptional situations are detected, and that in case of an exceptional situation a modified setting of the excitation voltage (Uerr) is made.