Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 1
Sources of Aircraft Power
- Batteries
Lesson Outcomes
Upon completion this chapter, you will be able to:
List different type of aircraft power supply.
Inspect installation of aircraft battery.
Carry out removal and installation of aircraft battery.
Describe the operation of aircraft battery circuit.
Carry out operational testing on battery installation.
Batteries
Review of principle of primary and secondary cells
Primary Cells
Supply small current for limited period
Is one which chemical action eats away and destroy one of the electrodes
Electrodes must be replaced cells must be discarded once they go flat
Example : Carbon-zinc, Alkaline Manganese-dioxide
Batteries
Secondary Cells
Voltage is developed between 2 dissimilar plates that immersed in an
electrolytes
Have reversible cycle & can be charged time and time again over long
period.
Example : Lead Acid and NiCad Battery
Loads
Electrode
+ -
Electrolyte
Lead Acid
-+ve plates : lead peroxide (PbO2)
-ve plates : made of spongy lead (Pb)
electrolyte: sulphuric acid (H2SO4) diluted with distilled
water (H20) of SG typically 1.25 to 1.27
Loads
Electrode
+ -
Electrolyte
Voltage Test
Specific Gravity
Nickel Cadmium
+ve plate : nickel hydroxide Ni(OH)2.
ve plate: cadmium hydroxide Cd(OH)2.
electrolyte: potassium hydroxide (KOH) and distilled water
(H20) of SG 1.24 to 1.3
fully charged condition:
- Voltage : 1.5V (per cell), nominal (1.2V)
- SG : 1.24 to 1.30.
- Electrolyte level high
fully discharged condition:
- Voltage : 1.0 V(per cell)
-SG : same (1.24 to 1.30)
- Electrolyte level low
The electrolyte specific gravity does
not change from charge to discharge.
Page 19 Subject Code AGD21602 / AAB30403
UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPIR
Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology
Nickel Cadmium
Disadvantages :
Higher Cost
Need Expensive & Complicated
Charging and control circuitry
Thermal Runaway
Page 23 Subject Code AGD21602 / AAB30403
UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPIR
Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology
Capacity test
This test is typically carried out at three-month intervals and 80% of
its capacity must be achieved for aircraft use. Also need to look at
previous test look for any trend.
Insulation test
A breakdown in electrical
insulation between the cells
and the battery case will
result in a 'leakage' current.
Battery Installation
Installed in areas where adequate heat dissipation and
ventilation of gases can take place
Temperature switch is installed to monitor the battery
temperature
Some system use an acid
trap which inserted in the
line between battery and
the fuselage and have
neutralizing agent to
prevent acid being sprayed
on to the aircraft fuselage
- on the B757.
shows the
battery /
battery
charger
and APU
battery
layout
Constant voltage
Constant current
Pulse
Typical Aircraft
Charging Circuit
Pulse Method
- Used on the earlier
Boeing 747's
- This pulse cycle is
repeated for a total
of eight pulses the
battery charger
then switches to a
constant voltage
output of 28V just
trickle charging the
battery at less than
half an amp.
24V
24V
GPU
In the air
Battery System
Medium Size Aircraft
The battery charger is
normally powered by
three phase 115V ac
from the ground
service busbar (GSB).
The charger delivers
28V dc to charge the
battery.
In the air, GSB is
powered by Gen Bus 1
On Ground
Battery System
Medium Size Aircraft
On ground, GSB is
powered by Ext AC Bus.
Battery System
Medium Size Aircraft
If GSB fail, the battery
charger is powered by
Main Bus 2.
Battery System
Medium Size Aircraft
The Charger is
deenergised during
APU starting to
prevent overloading
the charger.
relay
relay
Maintenance Practices
To be inspected at the periods specified in the approved
Maintenance Schedule, AMM and manuals issued by the battery
manufacturer.
The following paragraphs serve as a guide to the checks typically
required.
Voltage Test :
- Switch battery ON
Voltmeter read 24V
Load Test :
Switch ON loads for 20-30
sec the voltmeter must not
drop below 23V
Ni-Cad Batteries
Stored in a clean, dry, well -ventilated area and should be
completely segregated from lead-acid batteries. The area should
be free from corrosive liquids or gases. Recommended to be
stored in the condition in which they are normally received from the
manufacturer, i.e. filled with electrolyte, discharged and with
shorting straps fitted across receptacle pins.
Page 67 Subject Code AGD21602 / AAB30403
UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPIR
Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology
End