AC Electrics

> Advantages of AC over DC

- power to weight ratio of AC machines is better
- AC an conter to higher or lower value with almost 100% efficiency using transf
ormers
- With AC, DC can be obtained by using a rectifier
- to get high value of DC: transformer rectifier
- Do not suffer from commutator, and wear and tear issues with brushes like DC
- Brushless AC Generator has a Exciter generator to provide field current for ma
in generator
- Permanent Magnet Generator, rotates the magnet, to provide field current for e
xciter which provides field current for main generator
*AC Generator Output to 200v line is 115V phase, 400Hz
** Freq = (RPM x No. of Pole Pairs)/60
- 2 poles is a pole pair
- Freq is dependent on speed of rotation
>Inductive Rectance
- Opoosition to current flow in inductive circuits
-Inductive circuits have coils; Resistive circuits have resistance; Capacitive c
ircuits have capacitance
Inductive Reactance (ohms) =>
- As freq decreases => current increases
Capacitive Reactance
- Freq increases => current increases
**Therefore, Frequency must be kept constant in order to prevent damage to induc
tive and capacitive components on the airplane
- To keep frequency constant => use Constant Speed Drive Unit (CSDU)
- CSDU is connected in between engine and generator
> Constant Speed Drive Unit
- CSDU will always run at a constant RPM
- CSDU is known as Integrated Drive Units (IDU) or Integrated Drive Generator (I
DG) in modern A/C
- Quill Drive
- Connecting rod between egnine and CSDU
- It's a weak link => breaks before serious damage can be caused
- cooled by ram air or by its own internal hydraulic fluid
- CSDU is disconnected when 1) low pressure or 2) high temp is sensed
- CSDU CANNOT BE disconnected when engine is NOT RUNNING
** CSDU can only be reset on ground with engine shutdown
> Variable Freq Generators
- directly driven by engine but has no CSDU

* These generators cannot be parallel

- meaning two generators cannot supply the same load
* Output is used ONLY for RESISTIVE LOADS
- freq wild AC can be converted to constant freq AC
* - INVERTERS provide constant freq output from fre qild
>Inverters
- converts Dc to constant freq AC
Types:
1) Static
Freq wild -> TRU -> Inverter -> (Output) Constant AC
2) Rotary
- Dc motor driving an AC generator on a common shaft and speed
28V DC input -> 115V,400Hz AC output

Impedance: Net total of resistance in AC Cirucuit, consists of resistance, induc

tive reactance and capcitive reactance
- It's the vector sum of the resistance and total reactance
True or Real Power: is the power consumed by the resistive components in an AC c
ircuit
-SI Unit: Watt or KW
Reactive Power: Power consumed by reactive components (inductive or capacitive)
-Unit: Volt-Amperes Reactive (VAR or KVAR)
Apparent Power (Rated Power): Is the vector sum of True power and Reactive power
-Unit: Volt Amperes (VA or KVA)
Power Factor: Ratio of True Power over Apparent Power
RAT and APU can power the a/c as a backup to engine generators
- connected to either a static inverter or a hydraulic pump connected to a gener
ator
*Check line voltage and Phase voltage relationship
- Line Current = Phase Current
**Know the layout of the circuitry: Generators to busbars and the rest
>Logic Gates
Need to know: AND, OR NOT, NOR, NAND