Master’s in Classic Electrics and Wiring Looms Engineering — Lucas/Bosch Diagrams, Loom Reproduction, Relays, Charging and Starting
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in classic vehicle electrical and wiring harness engineering, structured in 12 modules covering classic automotive electrics, Lucas and Bosch wiring diagrams, harness reproduction, charging and starting systems, ignition and lighting, relays and protection, period instruments, electrical diagnosis and safe upgrades, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply electrical fundamentals to the classic motor car.
Interpret Lucas and Bosch wiring diagrams.
Reproduce wiring harnesses with period materials.
Overhaul charging and starting systems.
Restore lighting and instruments.
Diagnose electrical faults systematically.
Introduce safe and reversible electrical upgrades.
Who it's for
- Classic vehicle auto electricians working on 6- and 12-volt systems.
- Harness makers reproducing period looms in cloth or PVC.
- Electrical diagnostic technicians tracing voltage drops and intermittent faults.
- Instrument restorers calibrating and repairing period gauges.
- Classic car mechanics who want to master Lucas and Bosch electrics.
- Automotive electronics technicians adding discreet modern upgrades.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration.
What you'll work with
- DIN 72552 (terminal designations in motor vehicles)
- ISO 6722-1 (road vehicles — 60 V and 600 V single-core cables)
- SAE J1128 (low-voltage primary cable)
- ISO 8820 (road vehicles — fuse-links)
- UN Regulation No. 48 (installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)
- Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
- ISO 7637-2 (electrical transient conduction along supply lines)
- UN Regulation No. 10 (electromagnetic compatibility of vehicles)
- KiCad
- Harness Builder
- PicoScope
- Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Ohm's law applied to the motor car1.2Series and parallel circuits1.36- and 12-volt systems1.4Positive and negative earth1.5Voltage drop1.6Cable cross-sections1.7Period components1.8Measuring tools1.9Electrical safety in the workshop1.10Case study: calculating cable sizes for a headlamp circuit
2.1Lucas diagram symbols2.2Lucas colour code2.3RB106 and RB340 control boxes2.4Lucas fuse box2.5Lucas switches and relays2.6Reading British wiring diagrams2.7Typical Lucas faults2.8Reproduction components2.9Full documentation of the process2.10Workshop: interpreting a complete Lucas wiring diagram
3.1DIN standard symbols3.2DIN 72552 terminal numbering3.3Bosch colour code3.4Bosch voltage regulators3.5Relays and fuse boxes3.6Reading German wiring diagrams3.7Differences from Lucas3.8Diagrams from other manufacturers3.9Digitising wiring diagrams3.10Practical exercise: functional diagram of a German vehicle
4.1Taking data from the original harness4.2Harness drawings4.3Period cables: cloth and PVC4.4Braiding and taping4.5Terminals and connectors4.6Crimping tools4.7Circuit labelling4.8Assembly on a harness board4.9Continuity testing4.10Laboratory: making a headlamp harness
5.1Principle of the dynamo5.2Voltage and current regulator5.3Dynamo diagnosis5.4Rebuilding dynamos5.5Adjusting electromechanical regulators5.6Concealed electronic regulators5.7Alternator conversion5.8Belts and pulleys5.9Charging tests5.10Case study: adjusting an RB106 regulator
6.1Period starter motors6.2Bendix inertia starters6.3Pre-engaged (solenoid) starters6.4Starter diagnosis6.5Complete rebuild of the assembly6.6Modern geared starters6.7Battery cables6.8Period batteries6.9Earth connections6.10Practical exercise: rebuilding a starter motor
7.1Ignition circuit7.2Coils and condensers7.3Period headlamps7.4Incandescent bulbs7.5LED conversions and legality7.6Indicators and thermal flasher relays7.7Instrument lighting7.8Brake lights7.9Headlamp alignment7.10Workshop: road-legal lighting conversion
8.1The function of relays8.2Headlamp relays8.3Ceramic and blade fuses8.4Short-circuit protection8.5Battery isolator switches8.6Diagnosing parasitic drains8.7Protection against electrical fires8.8Discreet and reversible upgrades8.9Full documentation of the process8.10Practical exercise: installing concealed relays
9.1Ammeters and voltmeters9.2Temperature gauges9.3Fuel gauges9.4Voltage stabilisers9.5Mechanical and electronic rev counters9.6Cable-driven mechanical speedometers9.7Restoring dials9.8Calibrating instruments9.9Repairing instruments9.10Case study: calibrating a temperature gauge
10.1Diagnostic methodology10.2Multimeter and clamp meter10.3Diagnosis with a digital oscilloscope10.4Voltage drops10.5Locating intermittent faults10.6Connector corrosion10.7Earth faults10.8Diagnostic reports10.9Diagnostic tools10.10Laboratory: tracing an intermittent fault
11.1Modern electronics in classic vehicles11.2Concealed electronic ignition11.3Electric cooling fans11.4Alarms and immobilisers11.5Battery maintenance chargers11.6Lighting regulations for historic vehicles11.7Roadworthiness test requirements11.8Originality criteria11.9Documenting changes11.10Workshop: reversible electrical upgrade plan
12.1Selecting the vehicle12.2Researching the original wiring diagram12.3Systematic electrical diagnosis12.4Designing the harness12.5Manufacturing and installation12.6System testing12.7Full documentation of the process12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is KiCad, Harness Builder, PicoScope and Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: manufacturing and verifying harnesses, adjusting dynamo regulators and diagnosing voltage drops. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: DIN 72552, ISO 6722-1, SAE J1128, ISO 8820, UN Regulation No. 48, Real Decreto 892/2013, ISO 7637-2, UN Regulation No. 10.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with KiCad, Harness Builder, PicoScope and Autodesk AutoCAD Electrical, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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