All About Car Electricity, From Systems to Schematics

The electrical system of a car is one of the most important aspects of a vehicle. With it, all components of the car can function properly. Whether it's the engine or the car lights.

Just like the electrical system in a motorcycle, the electrical system in a car also has its own system, components, and schematics. In this article, all of that will be discussed one by one. Who knows, it might enhance your knowledge about car electricity. The various aspects of car electricity can be observed as follows!

Car Electrical System

Let's first discuss the car electrical system. Unlike motorcycles, which have a relatively simple electrical system, the car electrical system is quite complex, as it has various systems within it. The systems are as follows:

Starter System

This is the system that allows your car to start and be driven. The starter system consists of an electrical circuit that powers the engine cranking. The engine cranking itself is the process of turning the flywheel, which helps start the car's engine.

The starter system will not function without the presence of several components within it, such as the ignition key, battery, starter motor, circuit, and relay.

Ignition System

This system functions to deliver electrical energy with low voltage input. Later, this system, which consists of a mechatronic circuit, will produce a spark in the car.

The ignition system itself consists of several systems. Conventional ignition, DLI ignition, translator ignition, and CDI ignition are some of those systems.

Charging System

Another system in the electrical system is the charging system. This system, with the main component being the alternator, functions to convert rotational motion in the car into AC electrical energy.

The charging system can occur under two conditions: when the ignition key is in the ON position and when the engine is running.

Warning Light and Error Indicator System

As the name suggests, this is a system that provides warnings or error indicators through lights. The lights referred to in this system are the lights on the car's speedometer.

Warning lights and indicators have several variants. Some of these variants are:

ABS Light, which is a light that turns on and functions to prevent wheel locking when you need to brake suddenly.
Seat Belt Indicator Light, is an indicator light that will turn on if you have not fastened your seat belt, especially when you are driving the car. In addition to turning on, this indicator light will also emit a warning sound.
Check Engine Indicator Light, also known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp, functions if there is something wrong with your car's condition.

Car Electrical Components

In addition to systems, the car electrical system also has its own components. Each component in the car's electrical system has its own function. There are at least five types of components in the car's electrical system. They are:

Current Supply

The first component functions as a supplier of electrical current to all electrical systems in the car. Current Supply itself consists of two types, namely the battery and the alternator.

The battery is a Current Supply component that can supply electricity up to 12 volts. Meanwhile, the alternator can supply electricity up to 14 volts. Specifically for the battery, this component has a different number depending on the type of car.

If the car is a small car or a personal vehicle, then the number of batteries is only one. However, if the vehicle is a truck or bus, the number of batteries can reach two or more. The capacity of the batteries is also twice as large, namely 24 volts.

Output

This component, also known as the actuator, functions to activate the car's electrical system. Primarily, in the body and engine of the car. In the car body, the Output component consists of LEDs, wiper motors, window motors, washer pumps, and bulbs.

Meanwhile, the output components in the car engine consist of injectors, thermostats, valve timing adjusters, engine fans, and turbo solenoids.

Input

Unlike the previous component, this component serves more as a detector for a car's electrical system. Through this component, we can know when the electrical system will operate.

The input components consist of switches and sensors. Switches are further divided into various components. Headlamp, turning signal switch, and foglamp switch are some of them. Meanwhile, input sensor components in car electricity are generally only found in computerized system-based cars.

Wiring Harness

This component, in the form of a cable assembly, functions as a conduit for electrical flow from the battery to all electrical parts of a car. The cables in this component are interconnected. If one is damaged, the entire cable assembly will be damaged and must be replaced immediately. This component can be found in any part of the car, including inside the car's engine.

Control System

This component is only available in computerized system cars. This component, which consists of a computer processor circuit, can activate the car's electrical system without input from the driver.

The control system is now available in various forms. ABS Control Module, Engine Control Module, and Transmission Control Module are three examples of this.

Car Electrical Schematic

Finally, we come to the last material in this article. In general, the car electrical schematic consists of only two schematics, namely the auxiliary schematic and the lighting schematic. For more details, you can read the explanation below!

Auxiliary Schematic

As the name suggests, this is the car electrical schematic that consists of several auxiliary tools. These auxiliary tools can be used for various purposes while driving.

One example of a tool in the auxiliary schematic is the horn. With this tool, you can signal other drivers, whether when you want to overtake or allow other passengers to go first.

Another example of a tool in the auxiliary schematic is the starter motor. This tool functions as a connector between the starter gear and the car's starter clutch. This tool will function when the ignition key is connected to the car.

Lighting Schematic

The next schematic in the car's electrical system is the lighting schematic. This schematic is very important for the safety of car drivers. The lighting schematic consists of exterior lights and interior lights.

As the name suggests, exterior lights function to illuminate the outside of the car. Turn signals, headlights, and brake lights are examples of exterior lights.

Meanwhile, interior lights serve to illuminate the inside of the car, primarily in the car cabin.