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Power demands in automotive electrical systems have significantly increased for the last few years, and this trend will soon lead to the same solution decided in the late 50’s, when 12V had replaced 6V. But this new transition will need a global vehicle approach specially in energy management techniques, which also takes into account transient phenomena. Today, the question is no more: « Why 42V ? » but « When ? » and « How ?». Moreover, the answer to these questions is really specific to each car manufacturer. That is the reason why PSA automotive has decided, through a LEAR’s partnership, to develop a complete methodology, including numerical simulation. This methodology must achieve to define the best-in-class electrical architecture of different alternatives, once the final level of performance (in terms of equipment or functionality) has been estimated.

OEM's and car manufacturers suppliers have agreed to increase the electrical system operation voltage up to 42VDC -36VDC battery voltage- in order to save electricity and to enable near future vehicles, characterized by a high demand for power consumption, mainly because current mechanical operated systems - valves, air conditioning - are expected to be replaced by electrically powered systems. However, this transition towards a pure 42VDC network is going to be gradual, in a first step combining the current 14VDC -12VDC battery voltage -and the new 42VDC operating voltages, the so called “Dual Voltage architecture”. Electrical and Electronic Distribution Systems (EEDS) are the keystone of energy optimisation strategies that will successfully fulfil the new requirements and the following electrical systems' aspects must be taken into consideration for a Dual Voltage power network: protection, switching, conversion, control signal management and distribution.