Analysis and Simulation of a 42V Power System for Automotive

With the increasing demand for more fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly car coupled with the consumers drive for more comfort, safety and luxury car has led to the introduction of more electrical and electronic systems to the passenger car. This is further impacted by the current trend in automotive industry to replace mechanical and hydraulic system with their electrical counterparts. The handling capability of the current 14V DC system is getting very close to reaching the limits. To meet the new growing electrical power demands with minimum fuel consumption and minimum environmental effects, the automobile industry is looking into increasing the present voltage threefold, from 14V to 42V for future cars. In this paper, a detailed mathematical model for a 3-phase, 4kW and 42V Lundell alternator electrical power systems equivalent circuit will be presented along with the alternator performance curves.