Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your vehicle healthy and in tip-top shape. Owners that neglect its importance often face hefty repair bills and a sputtering car. However, there are cases when the typical checkup isn’t enough.
Your vehicle is made up of an intricate and complex wiring system that transfers information and power throughout its components. This system is the brain of your vehicle, and there are times when it gets hampered due to a faulty circuit failing to transmit signals within the framework. This is where procedures such as the battery or voltage drop test come in.
Battery drop testing, or voltage drop testing, is a procedure done to find out if the battery cables and connections are okay. In some cases, you can also use it to locate excessive resistance in the starting or charging circuit.
Voltage drop testing is essentially done to assess voltage losses at different components of the vehicle, such as the battery, alternator, and starter.
Before you perform the procedure, you’ll need a voltmeter to check if there is current flowing through the cable.
If you want to measure the difference in voltage (voltage drop) expect the mechanics to perform the following steps to test the starting circuit:
Note: The mechanics won’t disconnect the high-voltage ignition wires unless they’re connected to the ground. The high voltage that could occur can cause the ignition coil to fail.
They can also measure the voltage drop of the insulated (power-side) charging circuit. The steps for that variation of the test are as follows:
The results are then interpreted as follows:
The significance of the voltage drop test isn’t solely due to the readings and results. It’s also used because it’s more accurate than an ohmmeter in measuring resistance and can detect electrical faults that affect the battery or voltages in general.
A voltage drop test can better determine the resistance in two components compared to using an ohmmeter. One reason is that the test is more dynamic as the current flows through the component. The conductor also increases in temperature, which increases resistance.
The battery drop test evaluates the circuits under normal operating conditions, making it more accurate than an ohmmeter.
Battery or voltage drop testing determines if the battery cables and connections are okay. Depending on the results, you can find out if there are any electrical faults and easily trace them back to the source.
You should perform a voltage drop test if the engine is cranking low or isn’t cranking at all, as the issue can stem from a voltage drop. While this is not always the case, the test can help identify and diagnose electrical problems.
Voltage drop occurs when the electrical current flows through resistance. To be precise, it’s the difference between the voltage at the source and at the electrical device to which it flows. The higher the drop, the greater the resistance in the circuit.
The battery drop test lets you test the connections of the internal wiring system within your vehicle. Its importance cannot be stated enough, as it gives you an idea if there are any faults within the system. And if there are any, you can easily trace it back to its source.
And while it may seem easy to perform, a battery drop test should be left to professionals, as any misstep in the procedure may affect the reading. So, if you’re having trouble cranking your engine, a battery or voltage drop test may be the answer.
You can’t perform a battery drop test without a voltmeter. And besides that, it’s always useful to have one in case you need it to check other components, such as the motor or an electric panel. If you’re having a hard time finding one in your auto shops, CarParts.com has a wide variety of voltmeters for you to choose from.
Besides the easy-to-navigate website, one thing we can guarantee is the speed and efficiency with which we deliver orders. All our voltmeters are on hand and ready to ship from a warehouse near you, so you can expect your order in as fast as two business days.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.