Lesson 4/Learning Event 2
Learning Event 2:
DESCRIBE PRINCIPLES, OPERATION, AND CONSTRUCTION OF AUTOMOTIVE
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
GENERAL
The history of motor vehicle lighting parallels the history of lighting houses and buildings with oil
lamps and gas lamps having been used in the early motor vehicles. With the development of a
satisfactory electrical system, electric lighting has become the standard means of lighting motor
vehicles.
The lighting system found on most modern motor vehicles consists of the following:
- Two headlights for illuminating the road ahead of the vehicle.
- Two parking lights (or side lights) for indicating the location of the vehicle when parked.
- Taillights to light the rear license plate and to show a red light to the rear.
- Instrument panel lights to illuminate the instruments.
- Body lights, such as dome and step lights, to light the interior of the vehicle.
- Special lights, such as spotlights, signal lights, blackout lights, and stop and backing lights.
- Wires and control switches to connect these lights and lamps to the current source.
LAMPS
Description
Small, gas-filled, incandescent lamps with tungsten filaments are used on motor vehicles. The
filaments supply the light when sufficient current is flowing through them. The lamps are designed
to operate at low voltage, such as 6, 12, or 24 volts.
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