ABSTRACT
In the 12 VDC conventional supply system the load is connected directly to the battery by means of manual switches, or by means of relays for those loads that need more power or that are placed far from the control panel. An example could be the substitution of the conventionally used permanent magnet direct current (DC) motors by brushless DC motors, by induction motors, or by variable reluctance motors. Conventional fuses are activated by the temperature that the fuse reaches in an excessive current situation and can be subdivided in two groups: blow-out fuses and those constructed with materials with a positive temperature coefficient. Due to the evidence that the conventional systems will not be able to satisfy the future needs of the modern automobiles, the automobile industry is considering different alternatives, which are basically focused on three directions: control strategy and wiring topology, power bus topology, and components.
