Project - Analysis of a practical automotive wiring circuit

1.The major elements in the above automotive wiring diagram are listed below,

• Battery
• Starter
• Ammeter
• Current and voltage regulator
• Generator
• Ignition switch
• Ignition coil
• Distributor
• Breaker
• Fuse
• Foot selector switch
• Gas tank unit
• Junction block

2. Purpose and working of,

Battery

A battery stores energy in chemical form and converts it to electrical form. The battery consists of a number of cells connected in series or in parallel. The electrons flow from the cathode to the anode in an electrolyte cell, causing electricity flow. The electricity from the battery flows to start the car engine. When the ignition is switched on it sends a signal to the battery and the electricity produced in the battery supplies power to the starter.

Current and voltage regulator

It is a device that regulates the flow of current and voltage across the circuit. A voltage regulator generates fixed output voltage and remains constant even for changes in input voltage or load condition. The regulator in our circuit is in charge to keep the right amount of electricity flowing consistently to certain parts of our car.

Fuse

A fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide protection for an electrical circuit from the effects of excessive currents. If more electricity flows through a fuse than required, the fuse heats up so much that it melts. This opens a gap in the circuit, which stops the flow of electricity and protects the components from damage. They offer protection against overcurrent and short-circuiting, disconnecting the circuit if they detect a potentially dangerous level of current.

3. Fuse rating for total load of 10A

The fuse rating is generally 1.25 times (i.e., 25% more) the full load current which in our case is 10A so,

10*1.25 = 12.5A

The next standard fuse rating is 15A so a fuse of rating 15A can be used.

4. Voltage and capacity of a battery for 500w load.

Load or power required = 500W

1. Considering the voltage as 12V

We know that, power = voltage *current

Current = power/voltage = 500/12 = 41.666A

So, a battery of 41.66Ah and 12V is required to run for 1 hr or a battery with 100Ah and 12V will run for (100/41.666) 2.4Hrs

2. Considering 24V,

Current = 500/24 = 20.833A

A battery of 20.833Ah and 24V can run for 1hr or a battery with 100Ah and 24V will run for (100/20.833) 4.8Hrs.

5. Parallel connections

From the circuit, it can be observed that the Horns and the lights are connected in parallel connections.

In a parallel connection, the individual current adds up to the total current. The main advantage of having a parallel connection is that if one bulb breaks, the current will still reach the others. If the bulbs were wired in series, the failure of one bulb would break the entire circuit.

6. Series connection

The ammeter is connected in series with the battery in order to find the total current flowing through the circuit if connected in parallel it would determine only the current in that branch. So as the starter is connected in series because it needs to have continuous current flowing through it.