12 V
6
V
0.5
12
0.5 A
12 V
0.5 A
electric motor (6 W)
Open circuit
W
V
6W
12 V
broken cable
or poor
connection
= 0.5 A
I
0.5
12
Watts
Volts
Example 3
Short circuit
Example 1
In the circuit in Figure 5.20, the voltage applied to the
circuit is 12 V and the current flowing is 0.5 A. Using
Watts law, the power (watts) applied to the circuit
can be calculated:
W
I
6
V
0.5
12
6
V
0.5
12
V =
W
A
= 12 V
two cables
making
electrical
contact
Watts
Amperes
ammeter registers
large current
6W
=
0.5 A
515
08/02/2012 11:31
516
517
J Case fuses
The J Case fuse is a common type of fuse used in
todays vehicle electrical systems. They are used in
electrical circuits that have a need for protection,
rating from 30 A up to a maximum of 60 A.
Lever-operated switches
Circuit breakers
5.3.9 Switches
Temperature-operated switches
A switch used to control the cooling fans uses a
set of contacts contained within the body of the
switch (or sensor). This is placed within the flow of
coolant around the top hose region. The contacts
remain open when the coolant is below the threshold
temperature (e.g. 85), and when a predetermined
higher temperature is reached, the contacts then
close and pass an earth supply to a relay, which will
then supply current to the cooling fans (Figure 5.33).
Push-on/off switches
Push-on/off switches are simple in design and are
frequently used to control many electrical circuits
in a motor vehicle. Figure 5.30 shows a selection of
different options but all are of the push-on/off type.
Rotary switches
This type of switch is operated by turning the knob,
which in turn moves a set of contacts at the bottom
of the shaft. A good example of a rotary switch is a
headlight dial (Figure 5.32). Also in Figure 5.32 you
can see a different version of a rotary switch designed
for adjusting the brightness of the instrumentation
lighting. Rotary switches can also be used for
adjusting heater fan speeds, or even as an ignition
switch on the steering column.
Temperature/pressure switches
In modern vehicles many components are operated
automatically through the use of temperature and
pressure switches. These switches perform their
operation without the need of input from the driver
because the contacts are activated by temperature
or pressure.
Pressure-operated switches
This type of switch would normally be located within
a circuit that needs to monitor the pressure of its
operating fluid. The switch contacts will be closed
when the pressure of the fluid is at its lowest, but
when the pressure increases to its predetermined
level, the contacts will open.
A pressure switch can be used to detect low refrigerant
pressure in an air-conditioning system. This would
then prevent the compressor being run, which would
cause a great deal of damage. Many pressure-operated
switches also provide a warning light, situated in the
instrument cluster to warn the driver of any failure,
such as low oil pressure (Figure5.34).
08/02/2012 11:32
518
5.3.10 Relays
Incorporated within most electrical circuits you
will find a relay as part of the systems control
functionality. Relays come in a number of different
sizes and a wide variety of current ratings and types,
depending upon the circuit application (Figure 5.35a).
All relays function as an electrically operated remote
switch, where they use a relatively low current flow
to control the operation of a circuit that has a much
higher demand on current flow.
ISO
DIN
Designation
86
Switched feed
85
Ground
30
87a
87
2
1
30
86
87A
30
30
87
+V
headlamp switch
side left
number plate
dip
headlamp main
headlamp dip
main beam
warning
headlamp main
headlamp dip
87
86
85
86
1 Moving armature
2 Control coil
3 Switch contacts
rear right
relay
85
side right
headlamp flash
switch
GND
rear left
fusible link
85
+V
side lamp
switch
ignition
switch
519
87A
30
85
87
30
86
85
87
86
87A
5-pin change over relay
87A
30
85
30
86
85
86
87A
4-pin normally closed relay
08/02/2012 11:32