Automotive electrical system contains five electrical circuits:

Charging circuit
Starting circuit
Ignition circuit
Lighting circuit
Accessory circuit
Electrical power and control signals must be delivered to electrical devices reliably and safely so
electrical system functions are not impaired or converted to hazards. This goal is accomplished
through careful circuit design, prudent component selection, and practical equipment location.

Lighting circuit- includes the battery, vehicle frame, all the lights, and various switches
that control their use. The lighting circuit is known as a single-wire system since it uses the
vehicle frame for the return. In each separate circuit, the lights are connected in parallel, and
the controlling switch is in series between the group of lights and the battery.

Starting System- The starting system includes the battery, starter motor, solenoid,
ignition switch, and in some cases, a starter relay. An inhibitor (neutral safety) switch is
included in the starting system circuit to prevent the vehicle from being started while in gear.
When the ignition key is turned to the start position, current flows and energizes the starter's
solenoid coil. The energized coil becomes an electromagnet which pulls the plunger into the
coil, the plunger closes a set of contacts which allow high current to reach the starter motor. On
models where the solenoid is mounted on the starter, the plunger also serves to push the
starter pinion to mesh with the teeth on the flywheel/flex plate.
A typical starting system converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to turn the engine.
The components are: battery, to provide electricity to operate the starter; ignition switch, to
control the energizing of the starter relay or solenoid; starter relay or solenoid, to make and
break the circuit between the battery and starter; starter, to convert electrical energy into
mechanical energy to rotate the engine; starter drive gear, to transmit the starter rotation to
the engine flywheel.





Cut-away view of a typical starter motor equipped with a starter mounted solenoid.















Some starting systems employ a starter relay in addition to the solenoid. This relay may be
located under the instrument panel, in the kick panel or in the fuse/relay center under the
hood. This relay is used to reduce the amount of current the starting (ignition) switch must
carry.
There may be one other component included in the starting system; on vehicles with automatic
transmissions, a neutral safety switch (often referred to by many various names by the different
manufacturers, such as: transmission range sensor, neutral safety switch, park/neutral switch,
etc.) on the side of the transmission is wired to the relay or solenoid. Its function is to prevent
activation of the starter (by creating an open circuit) when the transmission is in any gear other
than P (park) or N (neutral). The vehicle can only be started in P or N. Most manual
transmission vehicles have a clutch switch to prevent starting the vehicle unless the clutch is
depressed.
Charging System- contains an alternator (generator), drive belt, battery, voltage regulator
and the associated wiring. The charging system, like the starting system is a series circuit with
the battery wired in parallel. After the engine is started and running, the alternator takes over
as the source of power and the battery then becomes part of the load on the charging system.
Some vehicle manufacturers use the term generator instead of alternator. Many years ago
there used to be a difference, now they are one and the same. The alternator, which is driven
by the belt, consists of a rotating coil of laminated wire called the rotor. Surrounding the rotor
are more coils of laminated wire that remain stationary (which is how we get the term stator)
just inside the alternator case. When current is passed through the rotor via the slip rings and
brushes, the rotor becomes a rotating magnet with, of course, a magnetic field. When a
magnetic field passes through a conductor (the stator), alternating current (A/C) is generated.
This A/C current is rectified, turned into direct current (D/C), by the diodes located within the
alternator.


Figure 25 Identification of the components utilized in a typical automotive charging system.




Ignition system- is to generate a very high voltage from the car's 12 volt battery, and to
send this to each sparkplug in turn, igniting the fuel-air mixture in the engine's combustion
chambers.
Automotive Ignition System Diagram

Automotive Ignition System Diagram



OHMS LAW



Ohms Law explains the relationship between voltage (V or E), current (I) and resistance (R)
Used by electricians, automotive technicians, stereo installers

VOLTAGE (V) - It is the push or pressure behind current flow through a circuit, and is
measured in (V) volts.

CURRENT-Current refers to the quantity/volume of electrical flow. Measured in Amps (A)

RESISTANCE- Resistance to the flow of the current. Measured in Ohms .

V (E) = I x R

I = V
R

R = V
I








Laws of Magnets


Flux - Invisible lines of force.
Poles - North and South where force is strongest.
Permeability The ability of a material to conduct lines of force.
Residual Magnetism The ability of a material to hold its magnetism for a long time.
Ferromagnetic Material A material easy to magnetize. (i.e., Iron Steel, Cobalt, Perm-alloy, and
Alnico)
Paramagnetic Material- A material that can be slightly magnetized.
Diamagnetic Material A material that is very difficult to magnetize.
Magnetic Laws Simply stated: Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.

The Law of SINES

For any triangle (right, acute or obtuse), you may use the following formula to solve for missing
sides or angles:




Series circuit :
One pathway for current to flow. Example: Old Christmas lights




Parallel Circuit:
More than one path way for current to flow. Used in most electrical vehicle circuits.



Basic component: