The electrical system in an automobile is based on Ohm's law E=I * R. E is voltage measured in volts. I is current measured in amps. R is resistance measured in ohms. Wirh this formula you can predict the flow of electricity through out the automobile. You can use the digital multimeter to find the values of E, I, and R in the electrical components of the automobile.
The voltmeter is used in parallel with a circuit. It can be used to determine the voltage drop across a load and voltage availability in a circuit. Voltage is the pressure in a circuit. The load is the electrical component that is being powered for example a lamp, motor, horn, ect.
The ohmmeter is used in isolation of the circuit. It is used to measure the resistance in a load. Resistance is what the load offers, so the load has to be taken out of the circuit to measure its resistance.
The ammeter is used in series with the circuit. It is used to determine the current flow in a circuit. Current is the flowwing of electrons in a circuit. You will have to open the circuit to place the ammeter in the circuit. Make sure you set your ammeter on its' highest settings and work your way down to a lower setting, so you do not blow a fuse in you ammeter.
Voltage, resistance, and current works together in a circuit. In order for current to flow there have to be voltage from a power source, wires to carry the current, resistance by a load and a return to the power sourece. If there is a break in the circuit you will not be able to measure current flow in that circuit. You can measure meaure voltage avialability.
If there is any terms or points, in this blog, that you do not understand, please let me know.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
GETTING STARTED
Before I became an Automotive Student I thought the electrical side of automotive repairing and diagnosing was complicated and like a foreign language to me. My first automotive class was Automove Electrical Systems. In that class I learned Electrical Fundamentals, Electrial Systems, and Automotive Electricity. This class openned my eyes and gave me a new look the automotive electrical systems.
I learned how to use the right tools to diagnose and repair automotive electrical problems. These tools included the digital multimeter (ammeter, voltmeter, ohmmeter), test light, jumper wires, wiring diagram, and the knowlege I recieved in my classes.
Armed with this knowlege I tackeled a project of my own. The headlights on my friend's van were not working right. The low beam on one side was not working and the high beam on the other side was not working. I got a copy of the wiring diagram and marked the problem areas. I looked at the bulbs and they looked good. I tested the different points for voltage and the points passed. Finally I tested the bulbs for continuity with my ohmmeter and discovered that one bulb lacked continuity with the low beam and the other lacked continuity with the high beam. So I bought some more bulbs.
I learned how to use the right tools to diagnose and repair automotive electrical problems. These tools included the digital multimeter (ammeter, voltmeter, ohmmeter), test light, jumper wires, wiring diagram, and the knowlege I recieved in my classes.
Armed with this knowlege I tackeled a project of my own. The headlights on my friend's van were not working right. The low beam on one side was not working and the high beam on the other side was not working. I got a copy of the wiring diagram and marked the problem areas. I looked at the bulbs and they looked good. I tested the different points for voltage and the points passed. Finally I tested the bulbs for continuity with my ohmmeter and discovered that one bulb lacked continuity with the low beam and the other lacked continuity with the high beam. So I bought some more bulbs.
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