The service life of automotive cables needs to be replaced at least once every 10 years. This recommendation is based on the complexity of the entire automotive circuit, including power circuit, starting circuit, ignition circuit, air conditioning circuit, instrument circuit, lighting and signal circuit, auxiliary circuit, and electronic control system circuit. The wiring of these circuits varies according to the structure of the vehicle, the number of electrical equipment, the installation location, and the wiring method. Although the vehicle line generally has a long service life, it needs to be replaced at least once every 10 years to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle's electrical system. In addition, the service life of the engine high-voltage wire is also relatively long. Under normal circumstances, it can be used for at least hundreds of thousands of kilometers. If the wiring harness of the entire vehicle is used normally, it can last for about 8 to 10 years, or even longer. The specific replacement time depends on many factors, such as the vehicle's use environment, driving habits, maintenance conditions, etc. 12.
From the perspective of thermal aging, the methods for improving the life of the wire harness wire include determining the relationship between the conductor temperature rise and the current, and considering factors such as the reduction factor of the rated current caused by the wire bundling. The thermal life evaluation of insulating materials generally adopts the conventional method, which is to conduct aging tests at several temperature points, record or estimate the failure time of the sample at each temperature point, and then apply the linear regression method to determine the aging equation. The test qualification criteria include winding tests and voltage withstand tests to ensure that the wire maintains safety performance within the design and service life3.
In summary, the service life of automotive cables is affected by many factors, including vehicle operating conditions, maintenance conditions, and design factors. Therefore, regular inspection and maintenance of automotive cables is an important measure to ensure their safe use.