Scenarios:
#1. Most planes have an over-voltage protection that opens the
circuit to the alternator field windings. Let's say that while the
alternator is delivering about 30amps (lights, avionics, pitot heat,
etc) - the OVR gets tripped, causing the alternator field to be
dropped immediately to 0 volts.

#2. Assume scenario #1 happens (due to a transient condition - not an
alternator failure)... It takes the pilot some time to realize the
alternator is offline, so the avionics and lights drain the battery
for several minutes. Anyway, the pilot cycles the alternator field
current to bring the alternator back online. The battery is run-down
a bit, so the current delivered by the alternator spikes from zero to
around 30-40 amps, and then gradually tapers off as the battery is
charged.

Question: Can either one of these dramatic swings in the alternator
field voltage/current, and/or the alternator output current damage the
alternator?

Last, does anyone have a link to a good tutorial on the components in
a typical alternator?

Thanks,
Nathan