Project - Analysis of a practical automotive wiring circuit

Answer 1:- Major elements in the above automotive wiring diagram,

• Battery
• Generator
• Current and Voltage Regulator
• Starter
• Distributor
• Ignition Switch
• Fuse
• Ground
• Lamps

Answer 2:- 

(a). Battery

Purpose: Its main purpose is to provide an electric current to the electric-powered starting motor, which in turn starts the chemically powered internal combustion engine that propels the vehicle. Once the engine is running, power for the car's electrical systems is still supplied by the battery, with the alternator charging the battery as demands increase or decrease.

Working:  Most car batteries rely on a lead-acid chemical reaction to get things moving and grooving. These batteries fall into the "SLI" category. SLI stands for "starting, lighting, and ignition." This type of battery provides short bursts of energy in order to power your lights, accessories, and engine. Once the battery jolts the engine to life, power for the car is supplied by the alternator. Most vehicles come with a generic SLI battery from the factory.

(b). Generator

Purpose: The generator generates electricity to recharge the battery and power all electrical equipment in the vehicle.

Working: A car generator is a dynamo. It is able to produce electricity through the rotation of tightly wound fine wires in a magnetic field. This magnetic field is maintained by a fixed arrangement of magnets or electromagnets surrounding the spinning windings of wire. The current and voltage produced depends on the speed at which the wires spin and the strength of the magnetic field.

(c). Ignition Switch

Purpose: To activate the main electrical systems of the vehicle, including "accessories" (radio, power windows, etc.).

Working: Once the ignition switch is prompted by key or the push of a button, it activates the voltage from the battery to the ignition coil to produce the engine spark. The engine spark from the coil or coils is directed to the spark plugs to ignite the fuel to make the vehicle run.

Answer 3:- Fuse rating should be slightly higher than the load rating so for 10A load from battery the fuse rating should be 15A. (Fuse rating differs for different appliances and is provided by the manufacturers) 

Answer 4:- For 500W load for 24 hours, the battery recommendation is 12 V, 1000Ah

(I = P/V = 500/12 = 41.667A) For 24hours, capacity = 41.667*24 = 1000Ah

Answer 5:- Two elements which are connected in parallel are,

• Lamps(Tail stop light, Beam light, Plate light, Parking Lamp)
• Horn

Reason: These elements are connected in parallel so that failure of one element will not affect the others while they receive same Voltage.

Answer 6:- Two elements which are connected in series are,

• Ignition Switch
• Ignition coil
• Fuel Gauge
• Fuse
• Ammeter

Reason: These elements are connected in series so that all elements receive same amount of current.