Know how the electrical system of a car works

Energy system: Automotive electrical system

Know how the electrical system of a car works

Energy system automotive electrical system one of the most important energy systems of a car is the electrical system since, it is responsible for supplying energy to the spark system, starting the engine and providing electrical energy system to the horn, lights, sensors, sound equipment and other accessories. Therefore, if you are thinking of buying a car, it is recommended that you know how it works. Next, at KIA, we explain it to you.

First, to understand how a car's electrical system works, you need to know that it consists of the battery, the starter motor, and the alternator. The first provides power to the starter motor. The alternator then gives the battery the energy it needs to power the vehicle.

Battery:

As we already mentioned, the battery provides all the electrical current that the car needs to start. This includes the power to the ignition and fuel systems, which are responsible for creating the combustion necessary to run the engine.

The car battery stores the electricity generated by the alternator and distributes it to the so-called auxiliary circuits of the vehicle that include the lights. In addition to this, another of the main circuits is the ignition circuit that consumes a lot of energy and includes the spark plugs.

When it comes to power, most batteries are 12 volts and 200 to 1000 amps, depending on the size of the vehicle and the possible demands on the electrical system.

You may see the battery described as 56 amp/hour. This is its capacity and it means that it can deliver one amp of power for up to 56 hours. 

How does the current flow?

The current leaves the battery in one direction through its positive terminal and returns to it through its negative terminal, also called the ground terminal, as it is grounded to the car body, so it cannot shock you. This configuration is called a ground return system.

The electricity then flows through wires of different colours (and resistors), all bundled together and throughout the car.

Most electrical parts accept current flowing to and from them in only one direction. This is called polarity and the electrical system where the negative terminal of the battery is grounded is called the negative ground system.

Therefore, when you install electrical components in your car, check which polarity it is (negative or, in the other direction, positive). There should be a switch on the unit that allows you to select the correct polarity for your car and avoid damaging the component.

Starting motor:

Now while the battery provides the power to start the vehicle, the engine is actually what makes it run. How? Well, the battery supplies a small amount of energy to the starter motor. It then turns the flywheel, which in turn turns the crankshaft and starts the movement of the engine's pistons. This intricate process is why making sure the starter is working properly is key.

Along these lines, you have surely wondered why the car's electrical systems do not work until you have turned the ignition key.

It happens that most of the components of the auxiliary circuit are connected through the ignition switch, so they only work when the key is turned.

This prevents them from staying on and draining battery power after you've parked the car and turned off the engine. Exceptions include side and taillights, which you may need to leave on under certain circumstances.

However, it is important that you pay special attention to this component to avoid the most common faults in a car engine.

Alternator

When the engine is running, the car's alternator keeps the battery charged and the electrical system running. If the alternator is defective, the vehicle can start, but it will not be able to run for a long time, the battery will discharge and eventually the engine will lose power. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry out technical reviews periodically and thus ensure that everything works properly.

fuses

Car fuses are often found behind a cover in the dash, and if you look on the back of the cover, you'll see a graphic showing which electrical components they connect to. Also, you will see that each one has a nominal power, expressed in amps, which coincides with the normal nominal power.

If the current flowing through a wire exceeds its resistance, or the wire itself breaks and a light bulb lights up or a fire starts, the fuse's job is to "sacrifice" itself by blowing and breaking the circuit, thus preventing any harm. accident.

In short, after you turn the key, your vehicle's electrical system kicks into action. The battery provides power to the starter motor, it turns and the alternator gives the battery the power it needs to power the lights, defroster, windshield wipers and accessories. 

Understanding your car's electrical system is very important because if left unchecked, a weak or dead battery can wreak havoc on other parts of the electrical system, such as alternators and starters.

Now, you can understand its operation much better and you will be able to detect any problem in your future vehicle. Remember that, at KIA PERU, we offer SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, compact SUVs and MPVs that will meet all your driving needs.