Aircraft Electrical Systems

What is Electricity?
Electromagnetic Induction was

Electromagnetic Induction movement of electrons through wires (or conductors) to create electric current. Magnets passed across a closed-loop of wire at right-angles create an electromotive force (ELF) ELF VOLTS occurr when electrons move in the wire Vice Versa: Electricity produces magnetism

Vice Versa: Electricity produces magnetism

Aircraft Electrical System Power Sources

Battery
Provides Electrical Power when Alternator or Generator is not available Several types of Batteries
Most Common Lead-Acid Battery
Lead and Acid produce electrical charge

Electrical battery
Small, light, not a lot of power Simple and effective built to last Recharges during flight from Alternator or Generator

Alternator

Aircraft Electrical System Power Sources

Converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) For electrical system uses DC is easier to use, Lower volts, Safer Also, provides Current to Battery to maintain battery power at max levels

Generator

Aircraft Electrical System Power Sources

Produces Direct Current (DC) For electrical system uses DC is easier to use, Lower volts, Safer Like Alternator- provides Current to Battery to maintain battery power at max levels when Battery is off line

Aircraft Electrical System Controls

Aircraft Electrical System Controls

Master Switch
Controls ALL aircraft electrical power from Source to Use Points Left Side Switch controls Alternator Power Source Right Side Switch controls Battery Power Source

Aircraft Electrical System Controls

Circuit Breaker & Fuses
Protect individual electrical User Systems from Electrical Overload (too much power) Breakers and Fuses do Same Job Difference: Replace a Fuse Reset a Circuit breakers Technology Improvement Fuses- Older Technology Circuit Breakers Newer Technology

Airplane Electrical Systems

Ammeter
Monitors electrical system performance Two types To/from battery Alternator load

Aircraft Electrical System Controls

Voltage Regulator
Volt is a measure of Electrical Power Voltage regulator automatically maintains constant voltage level

Master Switch

Master Solenoid

Starter Solenoid
Electrical Switch starter solenoid relays a large electrical current from origination source (Battery or Auxiliary Power Unit APU) to rotate Starter Motor

Starter Switch

Starter
Electric Motor connected by special gearing to Engine Crankshaft Rotates at very high speeds to rotate Engine Crankshaft Engine Crankshaft rotation Aircraft Engine Magnetos

Magneto
Magneto is a Field Generator
Rotating Magnet surrounded by loops of conducting wires

Rotating magnets generate electrical current flow through wires Aircraft engines have TWO Magnetos for Redundancy
Safety feature two spark sources are better than one

Magneto Systems

AND, TWO Spark Plugs

Two plugs fire simultaneously in Each Cylinder from Each Spark Source Efficiency
More even spark More even, steady burning More complete burning Spark improves burning in all areas of cylinder Plug fouling A problem

Airplane Electrical Systems

Battery

Stores Electricity Powers Engine Short-term Power

Magneto and Electrical System

By Cory and Amanda

Electrical System- 727 Simplified

Magneto and electrical system

Jonathan Hord

Magnetoes are self-sufficient Air, fuel and spark starts engine

Glass Cockpits
Electrical power is essential for Glass Panel Cockpits
Magneto Powered Engine can run without Battery power Glass Panels Cant

Glass Cockpit Power - Critical

Backup Battery 30 Minutes??

Aircraft Electrical Systems

The End Fly Safe!

Basic Electrical/Magneto Aircraft System

A cylinder is a central working part of an engine. The space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are arranged side by side by the engine block. The distance the piston travels in a cylinder is called the stroke. In the cylinder is where combustion occurs.

A busbar in electrical power in distributing refers to thick strips of copper and aluminum and conducts electricity within a switchboard, distributing board, or other electrical apparatus.

ELECTRICAL & MAGNETO Brian Bates, Baron Gould, & Richard Lynch SYSTEMS FOR SMALL AIRCRAFT

The Magnetos
A magneto operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction, is self-contained and engine driven A magneto provides the electrical power for the ignition system to keep the engine running once the engine has been started. A magneto is a combination of a low voltage alternating current generator and a high voltage coil and distributor. The distributor in the magneto picks up the high voltage current from the coil and delivers it through the coil to the spark plugs.

Timing of magnetos is determined in the development phase. It is important to prevent preignition and/or detonation. Small, general aviation aircraft are usually equipped with two magnetos for efficiency, smoother operation of the engine, and redundancy, to prevent the loss of the system if one magneto were to fail (L & R)

Alternator or Generator?
Most small aircraft are equipped with a 28-volt direct current (DC) electrical system, because an alternator produces more output for less weight compared to a generator and can produce a specific amount of power at a much lower rotational speed. An alternator drives the electrical devices and stores energy in the battery. The battery provides the power to crank the starter.

OR

Electrical System, (in a nutshell)

The second electrical system connects the electrical buses and the devices to the battery through a switch, the master switch. The battery provides the power to crank the starter which will start the engine. Now, since the engine is running, the engine will supply power to the alternator and recharge the battery. The magnetos continually work to create spark, ignite fuel and crank the engine. Inside the cockpit, you will find an ammeter Some instruments require electricity to function

Know Your Systems

Read the pilots operating manual (POH) and aircraft flight manual (AFM) to learn how to identify and possibly handle any electrical problem in flight. In the event of a power failure, you should know whether or not an emergency landing is necessary. Evaluate Conditions VFR or IFR = Nav equipment? Retractable Gear = extended? Flaps retracted or extended? Transponder/Comms avail?

ER Procedures 101 Aviate Best Landing Site

Communicate

References
Glenn Research Center, http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/icengine.html, 1-11-2008

Glenn Research Center, http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/elecsys.html, 1-11-2008

Pilot Friend, http://pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/tech/elec.htm, 1-11-2008 http://selair.selkirk.bc.ca/systems1/Engines/Aircraft%20Magneto%20systems.html, 1-11-2008

Electrical & Magneto Systems

Mark Kinder Nathan Williamson Richard Douglas AVIA 112

Outline
Electrical Systems
Alternator Battery Ammeter Master Switch Circuit Breakers & Fuses

Magnetos

Airplane Electrical Systems

Battery

Stores Electricity Powers Engine Short-term Power

Magnetos
Supplies current to plugs

Changes mechanical energy to electrical Each A/C has 2 magnetos Provides redundancy Improves combustion
Magneto is engine-driven

Summary
Electrical Systems
Alternator Battery Ammeter Master Switch Circuit Breakers & Fuses

Magnetos

Electrical System

Magneto Systems

Typical Ignition System

aircraft electrical systems generate, regulate and distribute electrical power throughout the aircraft. Many aircraft flight instrument systems use electricity Aircraft electrical components operate on many different voltages both AC and DC Most aircraft systems use :
115 Volt Alternating Current (AC) @ 400 Hz 28 Volt Direct Current (DC)

Most aircraft engines provide power to generate AC generator (alternator) power.

Electrical Systems
The function of the aircraft electrical system is to generate, regulate and distribute electrical power throughout the aircraft. It is essential for the flight instrument systems. Aircraft electrical components operate on many different voltages both AC and DC However, most of the systems use:
115 VAC @ 400 Hz 28 VDC

Each of the engines on an aircraft drives an AC generator (alternator).

Electrical Power System Components

AC Generator or Alternator Constant Speed Drive: in this case would be the belt driven by the engine. Today's modern small aircraft contain all of this inside the alternator:
Integrated Drive Generator Transformer Rectifier Unit Generator Control Unit

Basic Functions
The basic functions of the electrical systems components are to: Generate Power Control Electrical Power Protect the Electrical System Distribute Electrical Power Throughout the Aircraft

Magneto

How they WoRk!

The ignition magneto combines the functions of a dynamo, contact breaker points, "condenser", and ignition coil. The engine spins a magnet inside a coil, and also operates a contact breaker, interrupting the current and causing the voltage to be increased sufficiently to jump a small gap. The spark plugs are connected directly from the magneto output.

All pilots are

Aircraft Electrical and Magneto Systems

Corey Hjalseth Ali Spirggs Fernando Rodriguez

Aircraft Magneto Systems

A magneto is a combination of low and high voltage current generator and distributor. The magnetos ignition coil transforms low voltage to high voltage. The distributor picks up the high voltage from the coils and delivers it to the spark plugs for ignition.

Magneto Diagram

Aircraft Electrical Systems

The purpose of an aircraft electrical system is to generate, regulate, and distribute electrical power through the entire aircraft. It consists of a battery, an alternator, and regulators for these devices. The alternator charges the battery just like in a car.

Electrical System Run Through

The master switch turns on the battery. The battery turns on all of your aircraft lights. The Alternator is activated along with the radio and instrument lighting. The alternator continues to work and recharge the battery and thus light the aircraft.

Aircraft Electrical System Diagram

General Aviation Aircraft Electrical and Magneto Systems

By: Silvia Fresnedo, Mark Tison and Karen Fisher

Electrical System
The airplanes electrical system consists of a battery and a generator or alternator with associated voltage regulators, current limiters, or other protective devices. The primary function of the battery is to provide power to the starter motor. After the engine starts, the magnetos provide ignition,
generator or alternator takes on the tasks of powering: Radios Instruments lights Electrical landing gear Flaps Recharging the battery

Individual circuits are protected by circuit breakers or fuses.

Electrical System

Magneto System
Magneto-equipped aircraft engines are typically dual-plugged, that is, each cylinder has two spark plugs, with each plug having its own separate magneto; This arrangement provides:
redundancy in the event of a failure of one of the magnetos. more complete and efficient burn of the fuel mixture, and if placed far apart in the combustion chamber, decreases burn time, allowing higher engine speeds.

For this reason, double plugging is also used in high performance automobiles and motorcycles.

Magneto System

Magneto Components
Magneto Internals

Questions?

Electrical and Magneto Systems

Mark, Godfrey, Shane

996 835
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MAGNETO GENERATOR P12W150

1 MAGNETO FLYWHEEL P12W150 1 From serial# 4084219 & above MAGNETO FLYWHEEL 1 Up to serial# 4084218 COIL KIT P12W150 1 2-5 996-840 STATOR PLATE ASSY.

996 821 996 820

996 849

How the Electrical system works

Alternator

Aircraft Electrical System Power Sources

Converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC) For electrical system uses DC is easier to use, Lower volts, Safer Also, provides Current to Battery to maintain battery power at max levels