Actuators refer to 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), motion (electric motor), or heat (auxiliary heating).
To prevent duplication on overview pages, actuators with a specific function are included in the overview pages of comfort, safety, and access systems. The components with various applications that fall outside of those categories are shown here. Example: the DC electric motor can be found as a component in power window operation (comfort), in the windshield wiper mechanism (safety), and in the door lock opening and closing mechanism (access).
The DC electric motor is described on these three pages based on its application. The general operation of this type of electric motor, without application, is explained on its own page, which is included in this actuators overview page.