Arcing is a condition when electrical charges use an air gap between two electric conductors to travel. This jumping creates a spark that is recognised as arcing. Electrical arcing in automobiles may occur due to a fault. While it doesn’t usually stop the car from working, it can negatively impact the vehicle performance.
In this guide, we have provided all the details of causing electrical arcing and how you can prevent it.
What Causes Arcing in Automobiles?
Electric arcing in automobiles usually occurs when a circuit is provided with an excessive amount of current. A circuit starts malfunctioning once it’s damaged by the overloading current and causes arcing.
Other than overloading, arcing can also occur due to worn-out and broken wires. It is one of the major causes of arcing in automobiles. Closely packed worn-out or damaged wires serve as two insulating materials for the electric charge flowing inside them. The charge transfers from one wire to another and causes arcing.
Moreover, electrical arcing occurs when too many fuses are used in a car. When additional fuses are included in the electric system, the battery starts malfunctioning and transfers excessive current. This causes fuses to melt and wires connected to it start arcing. It also occurs inside many electrical parts of an engine. This is due to the worn-out brushes or motor winding resistance which fails to establish a strong network between terminals and causes arcing.
What Arcing Can Do?
Arcing is similar to sparks but both phenomena are different from each other. Arcing can be considered as a common and minute electrical fault but it can negatively impact vehicles in several ways.
- Fuse Box: The fuse box of a car is more prone to arcing damage. The higher amount of voltage can melt all the fuses in the fuse box of a car.
- Fire: In rare cases, arcing can ignite a fire inside the car. The wires in cars go from the battery to different components and if they arc commonly it can be a potential source of the fire.
- Car Computer: Higher amount current provided to the battery can damage the car computer. When arcing creates a higher amount of current, car computer fuses melt and shut it down to prevent damage.
- Battery: Arcing can drain the battery charge completely. It can disrupt the amount of current required at a particular time and drain the whole charge storage at once.
How to Prevent Electrical Arcing in Cars
It is necessary to take precautionary measures for preventing signs of electrical arcing in automobiles. We have enlisted common car practices included in the car maintenance checklist to reduce negative impacts or arcing.
Regular Checkups
A regular wiring checkup can prevent arcing, as it can detect worn-out or broken wires at an early stage. The most convenient way of checking arcing in the engine is by spark plugs. Replace spark plugs at regular intervals, especially when they are worn-out or rusted.
Replacing Arcing Ignition Coils
In petrol and diesel combustion engines, arcing coils are used to supply a higher amount of electric current for combusting fuel mixture. Old and worn-out coils can cause arcing under the hood. Condensation of coil and case leaks are also responsible for generating arcing. You can ask a professional or read the user’s manual to know the exact time of changing the coil.
Disconnected Shift Linkage
Shift linkage arcing are visible sparks near the main engine area. It is dangerous, as it is near the exhaust manifold, intake gasket, engine manifold and heater hose. Arcing connection with any of these parts can work as a conductor and electric current can be felt everywhere in the car. You can use Arc-Fault Detection Device (AFDD) to identify the work-out or broken parts of the wire. However, modern cars are equipped with self-arcing detection technology which excludes the need for manual testing.
Arcing Detection Technology
The self-arcing circuit installed in modern cars is based on input side current shunt. The circuit monitors the current flow and the amount of current needed in comparison to a threshold value. In case of any default in series current, the shunt shuts down instantly which decreases the arc resistance. Whereas, in case of a parallel circuit malfunctioning, shunt increases the output voltage exceeding the nominal range to control the damage.
This was all about electrical arcing in automobiles. Old car models often get victimised of arcing due to worn-out and broken wires. If you are owning one of them, it is time to browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and upgrade your car model.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on arcing.
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