Electrical Consumption, General Information: Notes

The change from traditional electrical systems with hardware based functions to flexible CAN based electrical systems where a number of nodes govern a large number of software based functions has increased the number of functions in cars. This has also caused an increase in electrical power consumption.

The generator (GEN) has been designed to supply the car with sufficient current for normal electrical loads when driving. The battery functions as a buffer for extreme loads or driving conditions. When the engine is switched off, it is the battery that supplies the car with energy.