Aircraft Electrical Systems

The third edition of this established text continues to provide up-to-date information on the operating principles and applications of the systems and equipment used in aircraft for the generation, distribution and utilisation of electrical power.The fundamental principles of electricity are reviewed, and systems and equipment used in a wise range of aircraft currently in service are dealt with. The text is supported by numerous diagrams, photographs and useful appendices. Examination-type test question are included at the end of the book. Intended as a course book for students wishing to obtain an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer�s License (as issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Authorities in other countries around the world), this book will also serve as a reference or �refresher� for experienced licensed engineers. CONTENTS Preface to the Second Edition Preface 1) Power Sepplies - DC Generators Introduction Fundamenral Principles Generator Claccifications Fixed Winding Arrangement Generator Charecteristics Self-excited Shunt-wound Generators Operating Principles & Charecteristics Generator Construction The Yoke Interpole & Compensating Windings Auxiliary Interpoles Armature Assembly End Frame Assembly Brush-gear Assembly Terminal Blocks Spark Suppression Brush Wear Generator Engine Coupling Cooling of Generators Voltage Regulation Vibrating Contact Regulator Voltage Regulator Current Regulator Carbon Pile Regulator Load Sharing & Paralleling TEST QUESTIONS 2) Power Supplies - Batteries Lead-Acid Secondary Cell Chemical Action Typical Lead-Acid Batteries Nickle-Cadmium Secondary Cell Chemical Action Typical Nickle-Cadmium Battery Capacity of Batteries State of Charge Thermal Runaway Location of Batteries Battery Connections Typical Battery Systems TEST QUESTIONS 3) Power Supplies - Alternating Current Cycle & Frequency Instantaneous & Amplitude Values RMS Value Phasing & Phase Relationships Interconnection of Phases Generator Power Ratings Frequency-Wild Systems Generator Construction Constant Frequncy Systems Brushless Generators Disconnect Mechanisms Field Excitation Frequency-Wild Generators Constant-Frequency Generators Voltage Regulation Constant-Frequency Systems Load-Sharing (Paralleling) Real-Load Sharing Reactive-Load Sharing Air-Driven Generators TEST QUESTIONS 4) Power Conversion Equipment Static Converting Equipment Rectifiers Selenium Rectifiers Silicon Rectifiers Operating Limitations of Rectifiers SCR Rectifier Circuit Connections Transformers Principle Construction of Voltage Transformers Circuit Connections Current Transformers Auto-Transformers Transformer Ratings TRU's Rotary Converting Eqipment Rotary Concerter Motor Generators Inrerter Typical Machines Voltage & Frequncy Regulation Static Inverters TEST QUESTIONS 5) Ground Power Supplies DC Systems AC Systems Axiliary Power Units TEST QUESTIONS 6) Measuring Inst. & Warning Ind. Ammeters & Voltmeters Shunts Instrument Transformers Frequncy Meters Power Meters Warning & Indicating Lights Synchronizing Lights Magnetic Indicators Central Warning Systems TEST QUESTIONS 7) Power Distribution Busbars Wires & Cables Types of Wires & Cables Routing of Wires & Cables Open Loom Ducted Loom Conduits Cable Seals Special Purpose Cables Ignition Cables Thermocouple Cables Coaxial Cables Earthing (Grounding) Connections Cable Terminations Crimped Terminals Aluminium Cable Connections Plugs & Sockets Potting Electrical Bonding Static Charges Static Drscharge Wicks Screening Electrical Diagrams & Identification Schemes Circuit Diagrams Wiring Diagrams Rating Charts Coding Schemes TEST QUESTIONS 8) Circuit Controlling Devices Switches Toggle Switches Push Switches Rocker-button Switches Rotary Switches Micro-switches Rheostats Time Swiches Mercury Swiches Pressure Swiches Thermal Swiches Proximity Swiches Relays Attracted-core Heavy-duty Relay Attracted-armature Light-duty Relay Polarized Armature Relays Slugged Relays TEST QUESTIONS 9) Circuit Protection Devices Fuses Current Limiters Limiting Resistors Circuit Breakers Protection Against Reverse Current Reverse Current Cut-out Relay Reverse Current Circuit Breakers Overvoltage Protection Undervoltage Protection Underfrequency & Overvoltage Protection Merz-Price Protection System Test Questions 10) Power Utilization (Components) Motors DC Motors Motor Actuators Linear Actuators Rotary Actuators Actuator Gearing Limit Switches Brakes Clutches Instrument Motors Motor Charecteristics Types of Motor Compound Motors Split-field Motors AC Motors Induction Motors Single-phase Induction Motors Two-phase Induction Motors Hysteresis Motors Lighting External Lighting Navigation Lights Anti-collision Lighting Landing Lamps & Taxi Lamps Ice Inspection Lamps Internal Lighting Cockpit Lighting Integral Lighting Pillar & Bridge Lighting Trans-illuminated Panels Flood-lighting Electroluminescent Lighting Passenger Cabin Lighting Emergency Lighting QUESTIONS 11) Power Utilization (Systems) Engine Starting Systems Electric Starter Motor Systems Turbine Engine Starting Turbo-starter Systems Starter-Generator Systems Ignition Systems Magneto Ignition Systems Magneto & Distributor Speeds Auxiliary Starting Devices Impulse Couplings Booster Coils Ignition Switches Low Tension Magneto Systems Spark Plugs Dual Ignition Turgine Engine Ignition Systems Fire Detection & Extinguishing Systems Fire Detection Smoke Detection Fire Extinguishing De-icing & Anti-icing Systems Temperature Control Methods Ice Detectors Landing Gear Control Landing Gear Position Indication Anti-skid Control Systems Passenger Cabin Services Avionics (Classification) QUESTIONS Tables & Data Definitions & Units Ohm's Law Power in AC Circuit Capacitance Inductance INDEX