Automotive Electrical Systems

Automotive Electrical Systems

In the beginning, say 115 years ago, a book on vehicle electrics would have been very small. A book on vehicle electronics would have been even smaller! As we continue our drive into the new millennium, the subject of vehicle electrics is becoming ever larger.

Despite the book likewise growing larger, some aspects of this topic have inevitably had to be glossed over, or left out. However, the book still covers all of the key subjects and students, as well as general readers, will find plenty to read in the new edition. This third edition has once again been updated and extended by the inclusion of more case studies and technology sections in each chapter. Multiple choice questions have also been added to most chapters. Subject coverage soon gets into a good depth; however, the really technical bits are kept in a separate section of each chapter so you can miss them out if you are new to the subject. I have concentrated, where possible, on underlying electrical and electronic principles. This is because new systems are under development all the time.

Current and older systems are included to aid the reader with an understanding of basic principles. To set the whole automobile electrical subject in context, the first chapter covers some of the significant historical developments and dares yet again to speculate on the future … What will be the next major step in automobile electronic systems? I predicted that the ‘auto-PC’ and ‘telematics’would be key factors last time, and this is still the case. However, as 42V systems come on line, there will be more electrical control of systems that until recently were mechanically or hydraulically operated – steer-by-wire, for example.