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  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN A CAR CARE

The major components of Electrical System in a car are:

1. Power Generator - Alternator / Dynamo: It generates electricity, drawing power from the engine. It generates enough power to meet all the requirements of all the electrical components in a car.

2. Power Bank - Battery: It supplies power to start the car. Also, supplies power to various equipments when generator is not able to provide enough power e.g. playing car radio with engine off or heavy duty lamps and air-con at idle rpm.

3. Engine firing - Ignition Coil / Fuel pump switch: Petrol (Gasoline) engines need spark to fire (or burn the fuel) the cylinder. For diesel engine, the pump has to be kept on - which is usually done by a solenoid switch, to keep injecting fuel into the engine to keep it running.

4. Cooling Fans: In earlier days, the cooling fans (radiator fan) were coupled with engine. But with front wheel drives and advancements, the cooling fans are controlled electronically i.e. they are switched on when there is a requirement using a thermostat. The fans run on electricity.

5. Air-Con Blower: This is another fan responsible for circulating from air-con to car cabin.

6. Lighting - Head Lamps, Tail Lamps, Blinkers, Brake Lights etc: They are wired on a central circuit running throughout the car.

7. Motor / Actuators - Wiper, Power Window etc: The are used to carry out various functions in the car including controls for side (wing) mirrors.

8. On-Board Computer - ECU: It is the Electronic Control Unit, managing various functions in the car.

9. Fuse Box / Relays: They manage current in the car. Fuses prevent the electrical equipments from frying in case of faulty alternator, wiring etc. Relays do the switching of heavy electrical items in the car.

10. Combination Switch: It is the switch assembly that sits under the steering wheel and used to control various things like head lights, wipers etc.

11. Peripherals Systems - like stereo, clocks, cabin lights, trunk lights.

12. Signal Transmission: Today cars run on electronics which involve a range of sensors, transmitters etc for tyre pressure, crash sensing, oil levels etc.

13. Wiring.

14. Starter Motor: It is responsible for cranking the car to start the engine. It draws power from battery.

Note: The electrical systems are very complex these days, even the throttle is electronically controlled and so is the fuel quantity to the engine. Cars today are fitted with too many electrical systems like LED screens, SatNav etc. Even the ABS works using electricity.