AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Allain Felipe Cely Ramirez

Ingeniero Aeronáutico | Profesor asistente | Coordinador de Prácticas Profesionales | FPrograma de Ingeniería Aeronáutica
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana | Circular 1 No. 70-01, Bloque 11A | Medellín, COLOMBIA
Tel: +57(4)4488388 | Ext. 14159 | felipe.cely@upb.edu.co
CONTENIDO
1. Introducción a los sistemas eléctricos de aeronaves

 Conceptos básicos de electricidad y electrónica

 Componentes del sistema eléctrico de una aeronave
 AC/DC

2. Generación/Fuentes y distribución de energía eléctrica en aeronaves

 Generadores y alternadores
 Baterías y sistemas de carga
 Barras colectoras y sistemas de distribución

3. Protección y control de sistemas eléctricos en aeronave

 Disyuntores y fusibles
 Relés y contactores
 Sistemas de control y monitoreo

4. Regulaciones y normas aplicables a sistemas eléctricos en aeronaves

 Regulaciones nacionales e internacionales

 Normas aplicables a la fabricación e instalación
 Certificación y documentación

5. Tendido eléctrico de la Aeronave.

 Practicas estándar
 Instalación

6. Diagramas, Esquemáticos & Manuales aeronáuticos:

 AMM
 SRM
 WDM

7. Sistemas Eléctricos y circuitos de Aeronaves, símbolos y esquemáticos

 Sistema eléctrico del A-320.

 Sistema eléctrico del B-787.
 Sistema eléctrico Helicópteros.
From the early days of aviation to
today's advanced aircraft, the
components of the electrical
system have been pivotal.
They've evolved to integrate new
avionics, precise lighting, reliable
communication, and
sophisticated flight control. As
aircraft capabilities expand, these
components remain crucial for
seamless, secure, and efficient
flight operations.
Electric Charge (Q)
Characteristic of subatomic particles that determines their
electromagnetic interactions
An electron has a -1.602∙10-19 Coulomb charge
The rate of flow of charged particles is called current
 Current

i = dq/dt – the derivitive or slope of the charge when plotted against time in
seconds

Q = ∫ i ∙ dt – the integral or area under the current when plotted against time in
seconds
Why Does Current Flow?

A voltage source provides the energy (or work) required

to produce a current Volts = joules/Coulomb = dW/dQ

A source takes charged particles (usually electrons) and

raises their potential so they flow out of one terminal
into and through a transducer (light bulb or motor) on
their way back to the source’s other terminal
GENERATORS

•A generator is a machine that converts

mechanical energy into electrical energy by the
process of electromagnetic induction.

•They are driven by the engine(s), and by APU.

The AC Generator

The AC generator uses the rotation of the aircraft’s engine to spin multiple loops of
conducting wire in a magnetic field.

Alternating current is generated in the wire (armature) due to electromagnetic

induction.

The workings of a generator

are best described using a
single loop of rotating wire
as an example.

This can then be

extrapolated to multiple
loops as is the case in a
functional generator.
we can see how
the
arrangement of
the two slip
rings and
brushes result
in an alternating
current being
fed into the
circuit
We will consider the behavior of alternating current in a single-
mesh RLC series circuit when it is excited by a voltage source
that varies with time according to:
: Amplitude of the varying voltage. Maximum
value reached by the voltage

: Angular frequency, related to the frequency f

of the wave by
Sin Límites
V(v)

Vigilada Mineducación
V(v)

voltaje instantáneo
voltaje máximo
Voltaje pico
Voltaje pico-pico
We can also express the current as:

=Phase angle or phase constant

:Amplitude of the varying current,
Maximum value reached by the
current
: Peak current
:Peak-to-peak current
 THREE SEPARATE ELEMENTS

Before analyzing the series RLC circuit, it is

useful to study each of the elements
separately when an alternating current is
applied to them. We will assume that the
elements are ideal.
RESISTIVE ELEMENT
VR
i

R
 RESISTIVE ELEMENT

Comparing the current and voltage equations,

in the resistance, we see that they are in
phase: they reach their maximum values at
the same time.
Another graphical way
to see the situation is
through a phasor
diagram.
Where the phasors
represented by the arrows
rotate counterclockwise with
an angular frequency w
around the origin
The length of the phasor is
proportional to the alternating
magnitude it represents.The
projection of a phasor onto the
vertical axis gives the instantaneous
value of the alternating quantity
represented.
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)
i

L
: coil voltage
: coil inductance
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)

Remember :
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)

Comparing the voltage and current through

the coil allows us to say that they are not in
phase, they are a quarter of a cycle out of
phase, with the voltage ahead of the current.
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)

It is commonly said that, in an inductor, the

current lags the voltage by 90º.
INDUCTIVE ELEMENT (COIL)
When analyzing AC circuits it is convenient to define
the INDUCTIVE REACTANCE

With which the voltage in the coil would be like this:

Looking at the previous equation we
can say that the maximum value for
the voltage on the coil is given by:
 CAPACITIVE ELEMENT (CAPACITOR)

Where: C
capacitor voltage

Capacitance
Remember:
 Comparing the voltage and current through the
capacitor allows us to say that they are not in
phase, they are a quarter cycle out of phase, with
the voltage lagging behind the current.
In analogy with the inductive reactance, it is convenient to define the
capacitive reactance

The voltage remaining like:

Looking at the previous equation we can say
that the maximum value for the voltage
across the capacitor is given by:
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHASE AND AMPLITUDE FOR
ALTERNATING CURRENTS AND VOLTAGES
RLC SERIES CIRCUIT IN AC

ξ = ξmsen (wt )
=i imsen (wt − φ )
• Para
• Para lala bobina
bobina de la figura:
de la figura:
VL Donde
L=230 mH
f=60Hz
i •
Donde
•
L=230
• (VL)max=36 V
Lf=60Hz
Hallar:
a): la reactancia inductiva y
b): la amplitud de la corriente
L=230 mH; f=60Hz; (VL)max=36 V
Hallar:
a): la reactancia inductiva y
b): la amplitud de la corriente

a)
L=230 mH; f=60Hz; (VL)max=36 V
Hallar:
a): la reactancia inductiva y
b): la amplitud de la corriente

b)
L=230 mH; f=60Hz; (VL)max=36 V
Hallar:
a): la reactancia inductiva y
b): la amplitud de la corriente

b)
If the frequency is doubled, the current is reduced by half.

In a resistive circuit the current does not depend

on the frequency.
EJEMPLO:

La salida de un generador de CA es
y está conectado a un condensador de
donde

a) ¿Cual es el valor máximo de la

corriente?
b) Cuando la corriente es un máximo,
¿Cuál es la fem del generador?
a) ¿Cual es el valor máximo de la
corriente?
b) Cuando la corriente es un máximo, ¿Cuál
es la fem del generador?

es máximo cuando
POTENCIA EN CIRCUITOS A.C.

IMPEDANCE

To use effective values of voltage and

current in alternating current circuits, the
effects of inductances and capacitances
must be taken into aconsideration.
The combined effects of resistance, inductive
reactance, and capacitive reactance make up
the total opposition to current flow in an
alternating current circuit.

Its total opposition is called impedance

and is represented by the letter Z. The
unit for measuring impedance is the ohm
(Ω).

Resistance and reactances cannot be added

directly, but they can be considered as vectors
acting at right angles to each other. Therefore,
the relationship between resistance, reactance,
and impedance can be illustrated by means of a
right triangle.
𝜑𝜑
RESISTENCIA R

REACTACIA (XL – XC)

 REACTACIA (XL – XC)
𝜑𝜑
RESISTENCIA R

Z2 = R2 + (XL - XC )2

Z = √R2 + (XL - XC )2
 Z = √R2 + (XL - XC )2
Ejemplo: ¿Cuál es la impedancia de un circuito en serie, que
consiste en un condensador con una reactancia de 7 ohmios,
un inductor con una reactancia de 10 ohmios, y un resistor
con una resistencia de 4 ohmios?
Z = √R2 + (XL - XC )2

Z = √42 + (10 - 7)2

Z = √42 + 32

Z = √16 + 9
Z = √25
Z=5Ω
 The impedance Z is related to the voltage
and current by means of the expression:

V 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 XZ
V 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
Z =
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
(root mean square) V 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
Representa el valor eficaz
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 =
Z
 A.C POWER

POTENCIA EN A.C
In alternating current there are phase
gaps ("phase shift“) between the
voltage and the current due to the
capacitances and inductances of the
circuit, which create electric and
magnetic fields.
The energy that these fields
temporarily store is returned to
the circuit (for example when the
capacitor discharges or the
magnetic field of the inductor is
self-induced).

This means that the total power

supplied by the source is not
always that consumed by the
circuit. A portion of the power is
used to create those fields, but is
not consumed. However, the
source must provide it for the
operation of the circuit.
TYPES OF POWER IN A.C. CIRCUITS

• Apparent Power (S)

• Active Power (P)

• Reactive Power (Q)

 ACTIVE POWER = P

It is the power consumed in the circuit (for

example converted into heat, mechanical
energy, etc). It is the power that is used.

2
𝑃𝑃 = 𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 XR
The unit of active power is the Watt (w) or
KiloWatt (Kw)
 REACTIVE POWER = Q
It is the power needed to create the
electric and magnetic fields. It is a power
returned to the circuit, but it is present.

2
Q= 𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 X (𝑋𝑋𝐿𝐿 − 𝑋𝑋𝐶𝐶 )
The unit of Reactive power is Volt-Ampere
Reactive (VAR) or Kilovolt-Ampere Reactive
(KVAR).
 APPARENT POWER = S
It is the sum (in vector form) of the active
and reactive powers. Its value depends
on the angle of phase shift.

2
S= 𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 XZ
The unit of apparent power is Volt-
Ampere (VA) or Kilovolt-Ampere (KVA).
POWER TRIANGLE

POTENCIA
REACTIVA
(Q)
𝜑𝜑
POTENCIA ACTIVA
(P)
POWER TRIANGLE

The cosine

𝑄𝑄 = 𝑖𝑖 2 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 × (𝑋𝑋𝐿𝐿 -𝑋𝑋𝐶𝐶 )

of the angle
φ is defined
as the Power
𝜑𝜑 Factor
2
𝑃𝑃 = 𝑖𝑖 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 × 𝑅𝑅
F.P.=𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(𝜑𝜑)
Example: for the circuit of the previous
example, calculate the Active,
Reactive and Apparent powers.

Z=5Ω
R=4Ω
XL = 10Ω 60 c.p.s

XC = 7Ω
Z=5Ω XL = 10Ω R=4Ω XC = 7Ω
V 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑃𝑃 = 𝑖𝑖 2 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 × 𝑅𝑅
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = F.P.=𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(𝜑𝜑)
Z
𝑃𝑃 = 484 × 4
110 𝑃𝑃
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝑃𝑃 = 1936 W F.P.=
5 𝑆𝑆
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 =22 A 1936
𝑄𝑄 = 𝑖𝑖 2 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 × (𝑋𝑋𝐿𝐿 -𝑋𝑋𝐶𝐶 ) F.P.=
2 𝑄𝑄 = 484 × 3 2420
𝑖𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 =484 A 2
𝑄𝑄 = 1452 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 F.P. = 0.8
𝑆𝑆 = 𝑖𝑖 2 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 × 𝑍𝑍 (Q)

𝑆𝑆 = 484 × 5 𝜑𝜑
60 c.p.s
(P)
𝑆𝑆 = 2420 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉
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