What are the primary electrical components and equipment of general aviation aircraft?
While early aircraft were often limited in their ability to provide power for the operation of electrical systems, the glass cockpits, lighting, power outlets, and other modern additions of aircraft demand the presence of power generation and distribution systems. For a general aviation aircraft such as a Cessna to achieve sufficient power for operating all electrical systems and devices, an alternator may be used as a reliable and efficient source. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of the electrical systems that accommodate general aviation aircraft, allowing you to familiarize yourself with their functionalities and primary parts.
For the typical electrical system of an aircraft, the main components include the battery, alternator, bus bar assembly, and wiring. The battery is one of the most important aspects of the aircraft system, providing the power required for initiating engine operations. For the functionality of the electrical system, the battery may also provide a reserve of electrical power as an emergency measure in the instance of a mid-flight alternator malfunction.
The alternator, meanwhile, is a device capable of generating electrical current through the principle of magnetic induction. Composed of an electromagnet known as a rotor and multiple conductor windings which serve as a stator, voltage may be induced in the stator as the rotor spins and creates a magnetic field. Aircraft alternators follow a three-phase design, operating as an AC generator as their output is alternating current that may be transformed into direct current with the use of diode rectifiers that permit flow in a single direction. As the voltage output is dependent upon the amount of current supplied by a voltage regulator, the alternator may be adjustable for more control over the system.
For power to be relayed to the various systems and components of the aircraft, an electrical bus bar assembly acts as the central point of power distribution. Receiving energy from either the alternator or battery, the bus bar then distributes energy accordingly. To protect the electrical components that follow the bus bar assembly, fuses, circuit breakers, and other circuit protection devices are implemented within the system.
In order to regulate the energy provided by aircraft alternators, the voltage regulator may be mounted onto the airframe in the firewall engine compartment or under the instrument panel. With three wires, a red wire supplies current from the bus, a black wire creates a ground connection, and a blue wire acts as the field wire. For a typical single-engine aircraft, the voltage regulator may enact control over the system by varying the flow of current to the rotor.
When the operations of an aircraft are first initiated, the pilot may actuate the aircraft master switch so that the electrical bus bar is energized by the battery. This results in current flowing from the bus and through the alternator field circuit breaker so that it may reach the voltage regulator. To better protect the system, an overvoltage sensor may be placed between the master switch and voltage regulator, ensuring that safe operations are upheld. As the engine initiates operations and the alternator begins to function, standard functionality may be established for the powering of electrical systems.
When any issues occur within the electrical system of a general aviation aircraft, one may use the current wiring diagram of the particular assembly and a multimeter tool to enact troubleshooting. With the red electrical probe of the multimeter, insertion in the auxiliary power port will enable monitoring of bus voltage while the engine and alternator are running. Meanwhile, the black lead should be used to establish a ground connection. It is important that the probe is inserted correctly into any ports to avoid the possibility of causing a short circuit or fault, and any blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker should be remedied before finalizing servicing.
Whether you are searching for bearing alternator parts, voltage regulators, bus bar assembly components, or other general aviation aircraft electrical components, there is no better alternative to NSN Parts Now. NSN Parts Now is a leading online distributor of aircraft parts, providing customers access to a plethora of new, used, and obsolete items that cater to a variety of aircraft models. Take the time to explore our vast offerings, and customers may request quotes for their comparisons quickly and easily with our RFQ service. Get started on the part procurement process today and see how NSN Parts Now can serve as your strategic sourcing partner for all your operational needs.
