<p>In an alternator, a brush holder (15) holds a pair of brushes (16) which abut slip rings (18) perpendicularly. The brush holder (15) is disposed within an inner periphery of a cooling fan (8) so that the brush holder (15) overlaps with the cooling fan (8) in the axial direction by approximately a width of one of thea brushes (16). The brush holder (15) is secured to the rear housing (2) and disposed to face an air intake window (HIa). As a result, the axial length of the alternator is reduced without sacrificing cooling capacity for the brushes (16). <IMAGE></p>
