Electrical Terms - Tecumseh ECV105 Technician's Handbook

WIRE GAUGE: The proper thickness of wire is necessary
in all electrical circuits. Wire diameter is measured in
increments of gauge numbers. As the gauge number of
the wire increases, the wire diameter decreases in size
(diag.6).
1. The starter circuit wiring must be rated at #6 or lower
gauge number.
2. The charging circuit wiring must be rated at #16 or
lower gauge number (20 amp system requires #14
or lower gauge number).
3. The magneto circuit wiring (ground circuit) must be rated at #18 or lower gauge number.
Tecumseh's standard engine wiring color codes, effective August, 1992 are as follows:
Code Product
Yellow - Alternator A.C. Leads
Red - Alternator D.C. + Leads
Brown - Alternator D.C. - Leads
Black - Alternator Ground Leads, Battery Ground Leads
Orange - 12 Volt Starter B + Leads
Dark Green - Ignition Shut-Off Leads
NOTE: PRIOR TO AUGUST 1992, WIRE CODES CHANGED ACCORDING TO MODEL AND SPECIFICATION
NUMBERS.

ELECTRICAL TERMS

ALTERNATOR - An alternator consists of coils of wire
wound around a metal lamination stack. When a magnet
is moved past the coils, a current is induced in the coils.
In general, the greater the number of coils, the greater
the output of the alternator (diag. 7).
IGNITION COIL - The ignition coil is used to fire the spark
plug. It is completely independent from the alternator coils.
RECTIFIERS and DIODES - Charging a battery requires
that the alternating current produced by the alternator
be changed to direct current. This is accomplished by
using a diode or rectifier.
REGULATOR/RECTIFIERS - This combines a regulator
with a rectifier. The regulator prevents overcharging of
the battery and the rectifier changes the alternating
current to direct current (diag.8, 9, 10).
CONDUCTORS - A conductor is a material that allows
an electric current to pass through it. All metals are
conductors of electricity, but some are better conductors
than others. Silver, copper and gold are some of the better
known conductors. As the temperature of the conductor
increases, the resistance increases.
INSULATORS - An insulator is a material that will not
allow an electric current to pass through it. Some of the
more common materials that are insulators are glass,
plastic, rubber, ceramics and porcelain.
44
THE LARGER THE NUMBER THE SMALLER THE WIRE
# 18
# 6
6
7
8
9
10