Fire Apparatus Power Management: A Multiplexed Solution

Fire apparatus are a particularly sensitive vehicle application when considering the management of the electrical power and power distribution system. Modern apparatus are equipped with a multitude of control systems critical to the mission of the apparatus, including engine controls, transmission, water pump, aerial hydraulics, lighting, warning, communications and instrumentation systems. The dependency of fire apparatus on these control systems, coupled with the large electrical loading of the emergency warning and lighting systems, require that a sound power distribution and energy management system be engineered into the vehicle electrical system.