If you plan to buy a car, it is important that you know how the automotive electronic control system works. Your vehicle’s electrical system is mainly made up of the battery, starter motor, and alternator. The battery provides power to the starter motor. The alternator then gives it the power it needs to run your car.
However, if one of these parts is not working properly, the car will not start or run properly. Interested in knowing more about it? Keep reading the following article and discover more about the topic!
What is the electronic control system of a vehicle?
The electronic systems of a car are devices controlled by electricity. These receive energy from the battery and return it to it through heat. The battery is used to power the starter motor by running it while the alternator is used to re-charge the battery.
In addition to performing this action, some cars are designed with a magneto ignition system that generates electricity to operate the spark plugs in the combustion chambers. Also, it is used to supply power to some electronic elements, which helps save battery power.
However, some ignition systems depend on the force it provides. All electrical circuits in vehicles are opened and closed using switches or relays that also have fuses to prevent overloads.
What role does the battery play?
The battery stores the electricity generated by the vehicle’s alternator and distributes it throughout the car to auxiliary circuits, this also includes the car’s lights. The other main circuit is the starter circuit which also includes the spark plugs, while the engine has its own connection.
Most batteries have a power of 12 volts and between 200 and 1000 amps, depending on the size of the vehicle and the possible needs of the electrical system.
How does electricity circulate?
Electricity leaves the battery in one direction through the positive terminal and returns to it through the negative terminal. This type of installation is called a grounding system. Electricity flows through cables of different colors and degrees of intensity linked together, which run through most of the car.
What is polarity?
Most electrical devices in a car allow power to flow to and from them in only one direction. This is called polarity and an electronic system in which the negative terminal of the battery is connected to ground is called a negative grounding system.
When installing electronic parts in your car, check what polarity they have (negative or, the other way around, positive). There should be a switch on the unit that allows you to select the correct polarity for your car, this will prevent damage to the electrical parts.
What is the purpose of a car’s electronic system?
The main objective of the electronic system is to power all the electrical devices in a vehicle. Some examples include the engine, sensors, gauges, heater, headlights, brake and signal lights, radio, television, air conditioning system, compressor, interior lights, cooling system, etc. others.
All these components receive power from a battery and this is charged by the alternator. Keep in mind that when the engine is running, all electronic devices are powered by alternator power. This is because its energy is greater than that of the battery when the vehicle is running.
What functions does the electronic system of a vehicle perform?
As mentioned above, the main function of a vehicle’s electrical system is to generate, store and supply electrical current to the various electronic elements of a car. Therefore, it makes all these pieces work. Additionally, it helps keep them in good condition.
Now you know how a vehicle’s electrical system works. Remember that the role it plays is essential for your car to function correctly, so it is important that you have knowledge about it. We hope this information has been useful to you!