Project - Analysis of a practical automotive wiring circuit

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

• Battery
• Generator
• Fuse
• Voltage regulator
• Distributor
• Ignition Coil
• Circuit breaker
• LED lambs
• Ammeter
  
  

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

Battery

A battery is a device that converts chemical energy contained within its active materials directly into electric energy by means of an electrochemical reaction. This type of reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one material to another via an electric circuit. While the term battery is often used the cell is the actual electrochemical unit used to generate or store electric energy.

Different Types of Batteries

Electrochemical cells and batteries are categorised into two types. Although there are several other classifications, these two are the basics:

Primary (non-rechargeable)

Secondary (rechargeable)

Primary batteries are non-rechargeable ones. This means they can’t be recharged with electricity.

The secondary batteries work otherwise. They’re ideal for recharging.

Generator

Generators are machines that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, generators produce electric energy in the form of voltage and current. They produce electricity based on the principle of electromagnetic induction.

 There are two fundamental types of generators known as AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) generators.

AC generators

AC generator is a mechanical device that converts mechanical energy into AC electrical power. In an AC generator the coil through which the current flows is fixed while the magnet moves.

Types

Induction generators.

Synchronous generators

DC Generators

DC generator is a mechanical device that converts mechanical energy into DC electrical power. In a DC generator, the coil through which the current flows rotate in a fixed field. The overall design is very simple but construction is complex due to commutators and slip rings

Types

Permanent Magnet DC generator

 Separately Excited DC generator

 Self-Excited DC generator

Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is a type of electrical switch designed to protect a circuit by heating up and cutting power when current levels exceed the required amount. By definition a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device, a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit, ground faults, or short circuits. Circuit breakers interrupt the flow of electrical current when it exceeds a predetermined amount, which is where a circuit breaker's ratings come into play. Circuit breakers are rated based on the amount of current that they can safely carry and the amount they can safely interrupt.

A thermal magnetic trip unit’s bi-metallic strip overheats in an event such as overload, causing it to bend and open the circuit (automatically cutting off power). During a fault or short circuit, the electromagnetic force causes the contacts inside the circuit breaker to separate, tripping the breaker and shutting off the power to the circuit with the issue.

 3. If the total load is 10A from battery, what should be the fuse rating?

In order to select the right amperage of the fuse, you first need to know the full-load steady-state current of the circuit at an ambient temperature of 25º C (68º F). Once the current value is determined, then a fuse rating should be selected as to be 135% of this value.

For a 10 amperage of load for the battery under this condition a fuse rating of 13.5 amps rating can be used or the next standard value of fuse rating of 15 amps can be used.

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

For a 500 watt load I would recommend a battery of 24v with an amperage of 100 AH. The reason being the battery of this capacity can deliver power output 2400 watts where we can get a run time of 4.8 hours for the specified load.

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

The two elements that are connected in parallel are

Starter : It is a type of capacitor used in automotive with an IC engine. Starters are used to drive the self start motor in the vehicle and it is usually connected in parallel this is because starter increases the capacitance thus increasing the amperage to run the motor.

Lamps : Lamps are connected in parallel because even if the one of the lights don’t work it will not affect the other lamps unlike series connection.

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

Fuse: Fuses are always connected in series, fuses protect the equipments from over current so that when the fuse blows the circuit opens.

Ammeter : Ammeter is used to measure the current flowing through a circuit. Since, current remains same in series connection ,an ammeter is connected in series to measure current.