LIGHTING SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Lighting system in an automobile plays a vital role. It is not possible to drive a vehicle
in dark hours during night without headlamps, tail lamps and other lights. Apart from head
lights and tail lights, indicator lights are required to indicate when vehicle is taking a turn.
In case of emergency, flashers are provided. All the indicators flash and convey emergency.
Horn, safety devices like air bags, power windows, and adjustable seats are other accessories
provided in the modern car. Lights are also provided in engine compartment, glove box and
luggage compartment.

HEADLIGHTS
Headlights provide illumination of front area of road. These help driver to see the road
clearly. Generally, these lights are two in number one on the left side and other on the right
side. Sometimes two lights may be used on each left and right side making total number
of lights four. These lights have the following variants:
Sealed Beam Light
These were used in old times up to seventies of 20th century. These had circular shape
and sealed beam construction. The filament of light has no glass cover. The glass lens forms
a part of parabolic reflector. This reflector has a coating of vaporized aluminium.
The lamp is filled with argon gas. The oxygen is removed to prevent oxidation of filament.
Reflector intensifies the light whereas the lens forms a beam of the light from bulb. There
are two filaments provided—one for low beam and other for high beam. The lower bulb is
meant for high beam and upper bulb is meant for low beam

Halogen Light
The bulb in halogen lamp is filled with iodine vapours. It has high temperature resistance
glass shell surrounding the tungsten filament. The bulb is placed in sealed glass housing
Presently, halogen is filled in the bulb which is a mixture of chlorine, fluorine
and iodine. The halogen, in the bulb, helps the tungsten filament to attain higher temperature
and burn brighter. The iodine vapours that are generated due to high temperature deposit
back on the filament. In sealed beam headlight, these vapours deposit on the reflector and
cause black spots. These black spots on reflector reduce the light output.

Composite Light
In some automobiles, the halogen bulbs in head light system can be replaced. These are
known as composite headlights. This allows the manufacturers to shape headlight lens in
any shape and attain aerodynamic shape. In headlights, vents are also provided to counter
the heat produced inside. Due to vents, condensation may occur in the headlight but as soon
as the lights are switched on the condensate is evaporated and does not cause any adverse
effect.

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

These are lately introduced lamps. These are stronger and intensity of light produced
by them is three times that produced by halogen lamps. They provide better spreading of
light on the road. Their life is longer than normal lamps. These are capable of producing
light in ultraviolet as well as visible wavelength. This reflects light in a better manner from
the road signs. The lamps consist of two electrodes through which high voltage, of about
15,000 volts, is passed. There is an inert gas which amplifies the intensity of light. Once the
bridge is created between the electrodes the voltage required is reduced to about 80 volts
as then the high voltage is not needed.
High intensity discharge lamps are small in size provide high intensity of light but are
not very popular due to their high price.

Headlight Switch
These are part of a multifunction switch on the steering column. This switch is operated
by turning a knob provided on a lever. Apart from headlights and parking lights tail lamps
should also be controlled. A single control in the form of rotating switch can switch on
headlights and tail lamps in one position. In second position, parking lights and tail lamps are switched
on. In third position all the lights are off. The light on the instrument
panel is also switched on as soon as head lights or parking lights are switched on.

Flash to Pass
There is a dimmer switch mounted on the steering column. The light is off or on low
beam. By activating this switch the light moves to high beam causing a flash effect. This
signal is used to overtake the vehicle during night and thus termed as flash to pass.
In some modern automobiles, automatic light system is provided. It eliminates the manual
operation of switches. It consists of photo-cell sensors or amplifiers along with a relay. The
ambient light is sensed by these sensors and as it is reduced to a particular level the sensors
or amplifier supplies power and lights are illuminated. The feature is executed by switching
the system on. The lights can be switched off manually, if needed, but are switched off
automatically also as the intensity of ambient light increases to a particular level.

Interior Light Assemblies

The interior light assemblies are provided for the convenience of the user of
automobile. These can differ from vehicle to vehicle. Some commonly provided assemblies
are described.