Project - Analysis of a practical automotive wiring circuit

1. Identify the major elements in the above automotive wiring diagram.

The major elements in this automotive wiring diagram are:

1. Battery
2. starter
3. ignition coil
4. breaker
5. ammeter
6. generator
7. current and voltage regulator
8. foot selector switch
9. gas tank unit
10. junction block
11. fuse

2. Explain the purpose and working of any three elements briefly.

1 . Battery:

• A battery converts chemical energy into mechanical energy.
• these chemical reactions involve the flow of electrons from one electrode to the other when connected to a circuit.
• These two electrodes are dipped in an electrolyte for the chemical reactions to occur.
• current flows opposite to the flow of electrons.
• Different automotive requirements require different voltages and capacities.
• This is the primary source of electrical energy for most of the automobile applications
• A 12V Battery is used with different capacities for most of the LMVehicles while it may differ in the cases of heavy vehicles.

2. Generator:

• a generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• also called as alternator or dynamo in automobile applications.
• the energy produced from this is used to power the electronics(headlights, music player, AC blower, etc.) and to charge the battery
• this alternator produces AC electricity and converted to DC
• The alternator is driven by the crankshaft by means of a belt and hence requires a current and voltage regulator to reduce fluctuations in power generation as there will be ups and down in the engine's RPM while the vehicle is traveling at slower and higher speeds.
  
  

3. Starter:

• This starter is used to start the engine, it is a DC motor that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• It is connected in series with the battery for constant power input.
• The starter replaces cranking the engine manually which makes the process of starting the engine very easy.
• The starter is connected through a relay setup and it is operated by the command of the user of the vehicle.
• it is generally placed near the crankshaft which is connected via gears.
• Different engines use variable power starter power to balance the load.

3. If the total load is 10A from battery, what should be the fuse rating?
GIVEN:
Total load = 10A
battery voltage = 12 v
Power = V * I
= 12 *10
= 120 W
fuse rating = P/V * 1.25(IDEAL FOR SECURE CONNECTIONS)
= 12.5 A
The next standard size of fuse is 15A
so, we can use a 15 A fuse for a 10A of load

4. If 500W is the load, what is the voltage and capacity of the battery you recommend?

As the available voltage from the car battery is limited.
taking 12v as the battery voltage

battery capacity: I = P/V
= 500/12
= 41.66 AH
A 12 V 41.66AH battery would be a general option
or a 24 V 20.8 AH battery would be recommended to limit the heat loss due to high current flow if time is not a required factor

5. Identify any two elements which are connected parallel to each other. Why they are connected in parallel?

• both the scaled beams are connected in parallel ,same voltage and different current can be obtained by parallel combination circuit .
• they are in parallel because it allows the other beam to work even when one of the beam is faulty and allows same voltage flow to both the beams.
• this also ensures that both the lamps are lit with equal brightness as the voltage flow is same.
• the same parallel combination is repeated with both the horns
• series connection would hamper the working of the other elements in case of a false element in between

6. Identify any two elements which are connected in series. Why they are connected in series?

• ammeter is connected in series so as to ensue there is a same current flow
• series is preferred and parallel connection is not preferred because high current flow can damage the ammeter totally.
• the same series combination is repeated with stater and battery.