Project - Analysis of a practical automotive wiring circuit

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

• BATTERY
• STARTER
• BREAKER
• AMMETER
• CURRENT AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR
• GENERATOR
• JUNCTION BLOCK
• FUSE

BATTERY :

Its is the power house of the electrical circuit where the chemical energy is converted into the electrical energy. in automotive, the battery voltage will be 12V, the 12v battery is sufficient enough to give the power to the light source and other electrical power accessories. ignition system is also started with help of the starter motor where its power source is comes from the battery. there are most commonly two types of battery used in the automotive. these

• lead acid battery
• lithium ion battery

lead acid battery - the most modern cars also using this 12v lead acid battery for powering up the vehicle and it is useful for the providing power to the lighting system and other electrical power sources. the lead acid is battery is more cost efficient the lithium ion battery

lithium ion battery - hybrid and electric vehicle uses the high voltage lithium ion battery. they are the primary source for the vehicle propulsion system. these battery having high energy density and capable of storing significant amount of energy to give the power source to run the motor.

STARTER :

Starter refers to the starter motor in the automotive. it an essential component used to initiate the internal combustion engine process.

when the key turns on the electrical power from the battery helps to start the starter motor. the starter motor turns a gear called bendix gear or starter drive which engages with the flywheel and while after initiating the rotation the piston also tends to move up and down which started the combustion process. after the combustion process takes over the starter disengages . this plays the crutial role in starting the combustion of the engine. in early days people used to start the engine by cranking, so to avoid that starter motor takes that place in starting the engine.

IGNITION COIL :

the compnent is responsible for tranforming low voltage from the battery to the high voltage to the spark plug which helps to ignite the air-fuel mixture. this convertion low to high voltage is done by electromagnetic induction.

BREAKER :

In older ignition systems, breaker points (or contact points) were used as a mechanical switch to control the flow of current through the ignition coil. They would open and close, interrupting the primary circuit and causing the ignition coil's magnetic field to collapse and induce the high voltage necessary for the spark plugs to fire.

However, modern vehicles no longer use breaker points in their ignition systems. Instead, they utilize electronic ignition systems that don’t rely on mechanical points. Instead, these systems use sensors, control modules, and electronic components to precisely control ignition timing and the firing of spark plugs.

AMMETER :

It is used to measure the flow of current in electrical circuit. it is used to understand and monitor the current flow throught the system.

CURRENT AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR :

Voltage Regulator:

Maintains a steady voltage output despite fluctuations in input voltage or changes in the load.

Current Regulator:

Controls and maintains a consistent current flow through a circuit or specific part of an electrical system.

GENERATOR :

Function: The generator or alternator is a crucial component that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It works alongside the vehicle's engine and is driven by a belt connected to the engine's crankshaft.

Charging the Battery: Its primary function is to produce electricity to charge the vehicle's battery while the engine is running. The alternator ensures that the battery remains charged and supplies electrical power to various systems when the engine is running.

Power Supply: The generator also supplies electrical power to the vehicle's electrical systems and accessories, such as lights, audio systems, power windows, and other components, while the engine is running.

AC to DC Conversion: The alternating current (AC) generated by the alternator is converted into direct current (DC) through a rectifier within the alternator, which is then used to charge the battery and power the vehicle's electrical systems.

Voltage Regulation: The alternator includes a voltage regulator that ensures the output voltage remains within the required range to protect the vehicle's electrical system from damage due to overvoltage or undervoltage conditions.

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

GIVEN:

CURRENT = 10 A

VOLTAGE = 12V

POWER RATING = 1 (ASSUMPTION)

POWER = CURRENT * VOLATGE

POWER = 120W

FUSE RATING = (POWER * 1.25)/(POWER FACTOR *VOLATGE)

FUSE RATING = (120*1.25)/(1*12)

FUSE RATING = 12.5A

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

GIVEN :

POWER = 500W

CURRENT = 10A

POWER = VOLTAGE * CURRENT

VOLTAGE = POWER/CURRENT

VOLTAGE = 500/10

VOLTAGE = 50 V

CAPACITY OF THE BATTERY = CURRENT * TIME

Q = I * T

Q = 10 * 1

Q = 10 Ah

Series Connections:

Voltage Addition: Series connections add voltages. This configuration is useful when you need to combine multiple power sources to achieve a higher total voltage.

Shared Current: Components in a series circuit share the same current. It's handy for applications where a consistent current flow is required.

Caution: However, if one component fails or opens in a series connection, the entire circuit can be affected, causing all components to stop working.

Parallel Connections:

Voltage Maintenance: Parallel connections maintain the same voltage across all components. This setup is ideal when consistent voltage is needed across different parts of a system.

Current Addition: Components in parallel connections share the voltage but have separate currents. It's useful for combining multiple components to achieve a higher total current capacity.

Redundancy and Reliability: If one component fails in a parallel setup, other components can continue to function. It offers redundancy and higher reliability in certain applications.

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

• battery - starter

Connecting the battery and starter in parallel ensures the starter motor gets the high current it needs to start the engine without affecting the power supply to other vehicle systems. It enables both systems to share voltage without causing significant drops in power across the vehicle's electrical components.

• parking lamp - scaled beam - horn

Parallel connections for horns and lighting in vehicles maintain independent operation, allowing both systems to receive full voltage without affecting each other's functionality. This setup enables simultaneous use without power interference between the horn and lighting components.

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

• generator - current and voltage regulator - ammeter

• The generator produces electrical power. current/voltage regulator manages and stabilizes this power output. and ammeter, connected in series, measures the overall current flowing through the circuit.

• fuse - foot selector switch - juction block

These components are arranged in series to ensure safety and control within the vehicle's electrical system. The fuse protects against overcurrent, the foot selector switch enhances safety during starting, and the junction block facilitates connections—all working together to manage and secure the electrical circuit.