What are the common faults in automotive circuits?
2 Answers
Common faults in automotive circuits include component breakdown, component aging or performance degradation, and wiring faults. The details are as follows: Component breakdown: Breakdown includes overvoltage breakdown or thermal breakdown caused by overcurrent and overheating. Breakdown sometimes manifests as a short circuit and sometimes as an open circuit. Overvoltage or overcurrent breakdown caused by circuit faults is often irreversible. Component aging or performance degradation: This includes many aspects, such as reduced capacitance of capacitors, decreased insulation resistance, increased leakage current in transistors, changes in resistor values, non-continuous variation in adjustable resistor values, and relay contact erosion. For components like relays, faults may also include insulation aging, coil burnout, inter-turn short circuits, contact chatter, and even the inability to adjust the initial operating current. Wiring faults: These faults include poor insulation, short circuits, and bypasses caused by loose connections, poor contact, moisture, corrosion, etc. These faults are generally unrelated to the components themselves.
As a car enthusiast, common electrical circuit failures include blown fuses, short circuits or open circuits, relay failures, and battery aging issues. Fuse blowouts are often caused by excessive current, such as from aftermarket audio modifications or improper charging. Short circuits occur when wire insulation wears out, causing accidental contact between positive and negative terminals, which may lead to overheating or even smoking. Open circuits result from loose or corroded connections, causing current interruption that renders components like headlights or starters inoperative. Relays control specific circuits, and burnt contacts can cause components like fans to stop working. Low battery voltage or leakage can make the car difficult to start, especially in winter. For prevention, keeping the engine compartment dry, regularly checking battery terminals, and avoiding low-quality chargers can significantly reduce failures.
