Actuators are electrically controlled components that perform a task based on control by the ECU. An actuator can convert an electrical control signal into light (a lamp), sound (horn), movement (electric motor) or heat (auxiliary heater).
To avoid duplication on overview pages, actuators with a specific function are included in the overview pages of comfort, safety and access systems. The components with many applications that fall outside these are shown here. Example: we find the DC electric motor as a component in the electric window mechanism (comfort), in the windscreen wiper mechanism (safety) and in the opening and closing mechanism of door locks (access).
The DC electric motor is described on these three pages in terms of its application. The general operation of this type of electric motor, i.e. without application, is explained on its own page, which is included in this actuators overview page.