Department of Education

National Capital Region

Self-Learning Module
Schools Division of Parañaque City
TLE-10 Automotive - Q1 Week 5-6

PRICIPLES OF AUTO ELECTRICITY

LEARNINCG COMPETENCIES
The learner independently performs servicing of the wiring / lighting system.
CODE: IAAS10WS-Ia-d-1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the learner is expected to:
1. interpret signs and symbols;
2. identify size of wire according to job requirement; and
3. determine polarity of conductor and insulator.

LET’S RECALL
Direction: Find the missing current or voltage or resistance in the table below.

NO. CURRENT VOLTAGE RESISTANCE

1. 5A 2Ω
2. 12 V 6Ω
3. 0.25 A 9V
4. 1.5 A 6Ω
5. 24 V 10 Ω
6. 1.5 A 12 Ω
7. 12 V 0.5 Ω
8. 6A 4.5 Ω
9. 3A 6V
10. 24 V 2Ω

LET’S UNDERSTAND
COMMON ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
1. Ammeter – measures the flow of current.

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 2. Battery –stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy.

3. Wire connected - crossed wires with a block dot at the junction are joined.

4. Connector with plug and socket – the connection maybe temporary, or

serve as a permanent electrical joint between two wires or devices.

5. Light – current flow through a filament causes the filament to heat up

and emit light.

6. Transistor – a solid state device typically used as an electronic relay, it

stops or passes current depending on this applied voltage to its base.

7. Capacitor (Condenser) – a small holding unit for temporary storage of

electrical charge.

8. Wire not connected – crossed wires without a block dot at the junction are not joined.

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9. Diode – a semiconductor which allows current flow in only one direction.

10. Fuse – a thin metal strip which burns through when too much current
flows through it.

11. Ground – the point at which wiring attaches to the chassis, thereby
providing a return path for an electrical circuit, without a ground for other
return path, current cannot flow.

12.Horn – an electric device which sounds a loud audible signal.

13. Relay – an electrically operated switch that connects the source and load ones that the
switch is on.

14. Switch – a device used for connecting and disconnecting the flow of current in a circuit.

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15. Motor – a power unit which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,
especially rotary motion.

DIFFERENT SIZES OF WIRE ACCORDING TO JOB REQUIREMENT

The electrical units in the automobile are connected by wires of different sizes. The size
of each wire depends on the amount of current the wire must carry. The heavier the current,
the larger the wire must be. The wires are gathered together to form wiring harnesses.
Each wire is identified by the color of its insulation. For example, wires are light green,
dark green, blue, red, black with a white tracer, and so on. The car manufacturer’s shop
manuals have illustrations that show the various wires and their colors. If you ever have to
trace a particular wire, refer to the shop manual to determine its color.
SIZES OF WIRES WITH CORRESPONDING AMPERES
# 2 = 95 Amps
# 4 = 70 Amps
# 6 = 55 Amps
# 8 = 40 Amps
# 10 = 30 Amps
# 12 = 20 Amps
# 14 = 15 Amps
#16 = 10 Amps
# 18 = 7 Amps
POLARITY
When connecting battery in the vehicle the correct polarity is important to observe. It
must be done properly, if not, it may cause damage of the diode and the IC regulator in
alternator. A battery has two poles or posts. The positive battery post is usually marked POS,
or (+) and is larger than the negative posts which is usually marked NEG, or (-). It has also ring
in both terminals, the color is red in positive terminal and either blue or green in the negative
terminal. The polarity of the battery must always match to avoid damage of the electrical
wirings.
CONDUCTORS
Conductor is any material or substance that allows current or heat to flow easily. The
purpose is for conduction of electrical current. Copper is an example of an excellent conductor
because the price is reasonable compared to the relative cost of other conductors with similar
properties. Conductors are also classified as metals. Iron, steel, copper, aluminum, silver, and
gold are examples of metal conductors. Metals can be further defined as containing iron

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(ferrous metals), such as cast iron, or steel, and those metals not containing iron (nonferrous
metals). Copper, silver, mercury, gold, and aluminum are examples of nonferrous metals.
INSULATORS
Wires that carry electric current are covered with insulation. Examples of insulators
include plastics, wood, glass, rubber, ceramics (spark plugs), and varnish for covering
(insulating) copper wires in alternator and starters. The higher the voltage, the stronger the
insulation must be. Insulation is a nonconductor. It will not let electrons or electric current
flow through it. An insulator has a high resistance to the movement of electrons through it.

LET’S APPLY
Direction: Identify the following symbols:

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

LET’S ANALYZE
DIRECTION: Answer the following questions:
1.Why is it important to know the common electrical symbols and their functions?
2.What will happen if you did not follow the correct size of the wire in connecting a circuit?

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 LET’S EVALUATE
Direction: Select the correct answer. Write only the letter that correspond to the correct
answer.
1.This refers to the negative and positive terminal of the battery.
A. conductor C. polarity
B. insulator D. signs
2. What is the corresponding current for a gauge 12 wire?
A. 7 Amps C. 15 Amps
B. 10 Amps D. 20 Amps
3. A material that do not allows current to flow through them.
A. conductor C. polarity
B. insulator D. signs
4. What is the most commonly used coductor of electricity?
A. aluminium C. silver
B. copper D. steel
5. Which of the following devices measures the amount of current flowing in the circuit?
A. ammeter C. relay
B. ohmmeter D. voltm
6. Which is an example of a conductor?
A. silver C. gold
B. copper D. all of the above
7. A power unit which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, especially rotary motion.
A. motor C. relay
B. battery D. transistor
8. A semiconductor which allows current B that flow in only one direction.
A. motor C. diode
B. battery D. transistor
9. A small holding unit for temporary storage of electrical charge.
A. capacitor C. resistor
B. battery D. transistor
10. A thin metal strip which burns through A when too much current flows through it.
A. battery C. fuse
B. capacitor D. transistor

LET’S CREATE
Direction: In a short bond paper, draw a comlpete circuit using the common electrical
symbols.
Rubrics:
Accuracy-------------------40%
Speed-----------------------30%
Neatness-------------------30%
TOTAL-----------------------100%