Basic Electrical System

Theory and Repairs

Chapter 25

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Objectives
Explain electrical principles
Describe various electrical terms
Understand and compare voltage, current, and
resistance
Use electrical meters and test instruments in a
safe and correct manner

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Introduction
Almost every system of the car uses electricity

Anti-lock brakes
Engine emission control devices
Dash warning lights and gauges
Electronic fuel injection
Electrically controlled transmissions

Technicians in every area

Must understand electricity to be successful

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electron Flow
Matter: composed of atoms
Atoms: composed of protons, neutrons, electrons

Electrons: negatively charged and orbit protons

Protons: positively charged
Neutrons: no charge
Protons and neutrons: located in the nucleus

Number of protons and neutrons

Determines the element

Atoms try to remain electrically neutral

Equal number of protons and neutrons
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electron Flow (cont'd.)

Electricity: flow of electrons from one atom to
another

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Conductors and Insulators

To remain in balance an atom will shed or
attract electrons from neighboring atoms
Electrons flow between atoms to equalize charge

Conductors: atoms with free electrons

Good conductors: silver, copper, and aluminum

Insulators: few or no free electrons

Prevents flow of electrons between conductors
Good insulators: glass, rubber, and porcelain

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Automotive Electrical

System

Electrical circuit

Complete circuit is needed to do work

Requires a power source, conductor, and load

Automobiles: ground is provided by the frame

Electricity takes the path of least resistance
With enough voltage, electricity jumps air gaps

Most wiring is insulated with polyvinyl chloride

Control and protection devices

Switches, fuses, and circuit breakers
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electrical Terms
Voltage
Electromotive force (EMF): force needed to push
or pull an electron out of orbit
Measured in volts using a voltmeter

Current
Flow of electricity
Number of electrons flowing per second
Measured in amperes

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electrical Terms (cont'd.)

Direct current
Electrons flow in one direction

Alternating current
Oscillation from positive to negative and back
Cannot be stored in a battery

Alternators make alternating current

Converted to DC before recharges the battery

Resistance
Obstruction to electrical flow
One ohm is the resistance that will allow one ampere to
flow when pushed by one volt
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electrical Terms (cont'd.)

Changes in current flow
Current flow inversely proportional to resistance
Current draw is the amount of current used to
operate a load
Light, heat or motion energy result when
resistance opposes the flow of current
Resistors are used to make heat or control load
intensity
Variable resistors control speed and intensity of
electrical load
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Circuitry and Ohms Law

Series circuit: current flows equally through all
parts
Resistances of all loads add up

Parallel circuit: starts from a common point and

branches
Total resistance is less than the sum of individual
resistances

Series-parallel circuits: combine two types

Ohms law: voltage, amperage, and resistance
relationship
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Magnetic Fields
Magnets have polarity
Like poles repel each other and unlike poles
attract

Electromagnetism
Magnetic field is created around outside of
conductor

Electromagnetic induction:
Electricity is produced by moving magnetic field
over a conductor

Relay: magnetically controlled switch

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Capacitors
Store electricity
Used to absorb voltage changes

Connected in parallel in a DC circuit

In AC circuit electricity flows through capacitor as
part of the wiring

Made of two pieces of foil separated by insulator

Ground side connected to one piece of foil
Positive side connected to the other

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Automotive Electronics
Electrical components: use mechanical parts
Electronic systems: use solid state parts

Semiconductor: acts as insulator and conductor

Common materials are silicon and germanium

Diode: allows electricity to flow in only one

direction
Transistor: electronic relay
Resists electrical flow or allows a predetermined
amount of current to flow
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Electrical Tests

Meters: permanent magnetic (analog) or digital
Analog meter has a needle moved by a magnet
Digital volt-ohmmeters have only a voltmeter and
ohmmeter
Digital multimeters are popular today

Voltmeter tests:
System voltage at the battery or alternator
Voltage drop testing

Difference in voltage between two points

Excessive voltage drop due to resistance
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Electrical Tests (cont'd.)

Ammeter: measures amperage (current flow)
Must be hooked in series with the load
Amp draws are tested with system under load

Current probe: available for low- and high-amps

Ohmmeter: measures resistance
Must be calibrated
Hand calibrate by connecting its wires together to
read zero resistance

Never connect an ohmmeter across an

energized circuit
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Electrical Tests (cont'd.)

Circuit problems
Open circuit: break in
path of electrical flow
Short circuit:
electrical path has
been shortened
Grounded circuit:
current flows directly
to ground

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Basic Electrical Tests (cont'd.)

Jumper wire: simple wire with alligator clips
Finds open circuits
Never use a jumper lead smaller than the circuit
Never use to bypass a high resistance load
Only use to temporarily bypass a component

Test lights: tests for open and short circuits when

power is disconnected
Self-powered test light: if light glows the circuit or
part has continuity

Power probe: combines features of test probes

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning