Automotive Electricity And Electronics: Classroom Manual

Highlights of this Edition—Classroom Manual
Upon opening the covers of the 5th Edition of Today’s Technician Automotive Electricity and
Electronics, you will immediately notice the use of colored photos and illustrations that greatly
enhance the visual quality of the text and the learning experience of the student. The text
layout has also been improved for easier reader comprehension.
Not only does the textbook have a fresh look, the text of the 5th Edition was updated
throughout to include the latest developments. Although chapter 16 covers details associated
with alternate powered vehicles, all pertinent information about hybrid vehicles is included in
the main text that concerns relative topics. For example, the discussion of batteries in Chapter
5 includes coverage of H.E.V batteries and ultra-capacitors. Chapter 6 now includes AC motor
principles and the operation of the integrated starter/generator. Chapter 7 includes the H.E.V
charging system including regenerative braking and the DC/DC converter.
The flow of basic electrical to more complex electronic systems has been maintained.
Rearrangement of chapters has been utilized to enhance this fl ow and reduce redundancy.
Chapter 1 introduces the student to the automotive electrical and electronic systems with a
general overview. This chapter emphasizes the interconnectivity of systems in today’s vehicles,
and describes the purpose and location of the subsystems, as well as the major components of
the system and subsystems. The goal of this chapter is to establish a basic understanding for
students to base their learning on. All systems and subsystems that are discussed in detail later
in the text are introduced and their primary purpose described. The second chapter covers the
underlying basic theories of electricity and now includes discussion of Kirchoff ’s laws. This is
valuable to the student and the instructor because it covers the theories that other textbooks
assume the reader knows. All related basic electrical theories are covered in this chapter.
Chapter 3 applies those theories to the operation of electrical and electronic components,
and Chapter 4 covers wiring and the proper use of wiring diagrams. Emphasis is on using the
diagrams to determine how the system works and how to use the diagram to isolate the problem.
The chapters that follow cover the major components of automotive electrical and electronic
systems, such as batteries, starting systems and motor designs, charging systems, and basic
lighting systems. This is followed by chapters that detail the functions of the body computer,
input components, and vehicle communication networks. From here the student is guided into
specific systems that utilize computer functions.
Current electrical and electronic systems are used as examples throughout the text. Most of
these systems are discussed in detail. This includes computer-controlled interior and exterior
lighting, night vision, adaptive lights, instrumentation, and electrical/electronic accessories.
Coverage includes intelligent wiper, immobilizer, and adaptive cruise control systems to name
a few. Chapter 15 details the passive restraint systems currently used.