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Electrical Distribution Power Systems
Electrical Distribution Power Systems
As the aircraft industry is moving towards the all electric and More Electric Aircraft (MEA),
there is increase demand for electrical power in the aircraft. The trend in the aircraft industry
is to replace hydraulic and pneumatic systems with electrical systems achieving more
comfort and monitoring features. Moreover, the structure of MEA distribution system
improves aircraft maintainability, reliability, flight safety and efficiency. Detailed
descriptions of the modern MEA generation and distribution systems as well as the power
converters and load types are explained and outlined. MEA electrical distribution systems are
mainly in the form of multi-converter power electronic system.
Keywords: More electric aircraft, Power converters, Electric actuations, Variable frequency,
VSCF
INTRODUCTION
The conventional aircraft utilizes a combination of hydraulic, electric, pneumatic and
mechanical power transfer systems. Increasing use of electric power is seen as the direction of
technological opportunity for advanced aircraft power systems based on rapidly evolving
technology advancements in power electronics, fault-tolerant electrical power distribution
systems and electric driven primary flight control actuator systems [1].
The concept of More Electric Aircraft (MEA) implies increasing use of electrical
power to drive aircraft subsystems that in the conventional aircraft, have been driven by a
combination of mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems .The objective of the MEA is
to completely replace the non-electrical power in the aircraft with electricity. This idea was
first applied to meet the military for less overall weight of the aircraft, lower maintenance
costs, higher reliability and better performance. With increasing capacity and rating of the
civil aircrafts, the idea of MEA is also applied. The MEA concept is seen as the direction
of aircraft power system technology in the future. The future aircraft power system will
employ multi-voltage level hybrid DC and AC systems. Thus, MEA electrical distribution
systems are mainly in the form of multi-converter power systems. The electrical system of
modern aircraft is a mixed voltages system which consists of the four types of voltage:
405VAC (variable frequency), 200VAC, 28VDC and 270VDC.
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Figure 1. Development of aircraft power system and power rating of famous civil aircrafts
Table 1. Generation, Power Rating and Applications of Different Aircrafts
Generation type
IDG/CF
[115VAC/400Hz]
Civil applications
B777
A340
B737NG
MD-12
B747
B717
B767-400
2x120kVA
4x90kVA
2x90kVA
4X120kVA
4X120kVA
2X40kVA
2X120kVA
VSCF (Cycloconverter)
[115VAC/400Hz]
VSCF(DC-Link)
[115VAC/400Hz]
VF
[115VAC/380-760Hz]
VF [230VAC]
B777(Backup)
2X20kVA
MD- 90
Cobal Ex
Horizon
A380
B787
2X75kVA
4X40kVA
4X25kVA
4X150kVA
4X250kVA
Military applications
Eurofighter Typhoon
F18C/D
2X40/45kVA
F18E/F
2X60/65kVA
Boeing Jsf
2X50kVA
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3- VF Generating System
In this technique, the speed of the engine is variable and hence, the generator frequency
is varied from 360-800Hz with an output voltage of 200V. The VF drive system is the simplest
form of generating power, cheapest and the most reliable. Variable frequency voltages have
impact upon other aircraft subsystems like motors and controllers existed onboard.
4- Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
The power used in normal fight conditions by the entire aircraft is generated by AC
generators driven by the main engines. During the ground maintenance and for the engine
starting, the power is provided by the APU. Most aircrafts can use the APU during the normal
flight conditions as backup power sources, in case of generators failure. Auxiliary Power Unit
is a constant speed generator with a three phase output of 400Hz and 200V.
5- Emergency Power Source
In case of the generators or APU failure, Ram Air Turbines (RAT) or fuel cells are used
as emergency power sources. RAT is a constant speed generator with a three phase power of
400Hz and 200VAC. Fuel cells are used as emergency power source with DC output. The fuel
cells need power converters for interfacing issues. Batteries are used also to provide
emergency power in case of alternative/back-up sources of power are lost or unavailable. The
fuel cells are normally working with batteries due to their slow chemical reactions [8-9]. Thus,
the batteries are responsible for supplying power in transient periods and the fuel cells are used
in steady state operations.
6- Ground Power Unit
For long periods of aircraft operation on the ground, a supply of power is needed for
maintenance and testing. Ground power can be generated by means of a motor-generator set.
The usual standard for ground power is three-phase 200VAC 400 Hz, which is the same as the
aircraft AC generators [10].
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In the generating mode of VSCF system, the aircraft engine, which has variable speed,
provides mechanical input power to the electric generator. The electric generator then supplies
variable frequency AC power to a (bi-directional) power converter which provides AC
constant frequency voltage to the main bus. In the motoring mode, the constant frequency AC
system, via the bi-directional power converter, provides input electric power to the electric
machine which acts as a starter to the aircraft engine. Synchronous, induction, and switched
reluctance machines are competing candidates for VSCF starter/generator systems.
Comparison of these machines for aircraft power system applications is mainly based on the
weight, power density, efficiency, control complexity and features, complexity of design and
fabrication, reliability, and thermal robustness, as well as economics.
Excitation
DC/DC
Converter
Control
System
DC Loads
28-VDC
Field circuit
Control
signals
200-VAC
400-Hz
Bidirectional Power
Rectifier
Synchronous
Generator
Prime mover
Variable
speed
AC Loads
270-VDC
200-VAC
360-800-Hz
Power
Management
System
Power
Inverter
Control
System
Intelligent
Power
Controller
Bidirectional
DC/DC
Converter
Communication
buses
28-VDC
Battery
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28 VDC
270 VDC
The 28VDC bus exists in all aircraft systems. The TRU is used to convert the high
voltage of the primary AC bus to the 28VDC. The 28VDC bus feeds the low voltage DC loads
as well as charging the batteries onboard. It can also feed the critical AC loads in case of
secondary AC bus failure through using DC/AC power converters. In case of emergency, the
most important AC or DC loads are fed from RAT, fuel cell stacks and from the 28 VDC bus
by using DC/DC converters.
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controllers, it provides many advantages over using the hydraulic and mechanical
counterparts. These potential benefits may include the following.
1) Reduced maintenance due to the modular nature of the system.
2) Increased functionality since there is individual control of each surface element.
3) Improved fault detection, as all monitoring is electronic and transmitted to the pilot.
4) Wear and degradation can be easily monitored by the sensor control systems.
5) Reduced mass and higher efficiency than mechanical actuators.
Number of motors
11
2
4
6
4
Rating/motor
1kVA-6kVA
5-6kVA
9-10kVA
3-4kVA
9-10kVA
CONCLUSIONS
Detailed power distribution systems of conventional and advanced more electric aircrafts
are explained and demonstrated. The latest more electric aircrafts are characterized by a higher
power rating that may reach 1MVA per generator than the conventional aircraft that has a
power rating of 90kVA per generator. The advances in power electronic switches and control
devices make it possible to provide a multi-voltage distribution system inside the aircraft that
have variable and fixed frequency supplies with different voltage ratings. Moving towards
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aircrafts that are more electric enhances the overall efficiency of the system, increases the
reliability, and provides flexibility and economic operations. Electric actuation systems
provide potential advantages over the hydraulic and mechanical counterparts. Simulation of
the provided aircraft systems will be provided in future publications.
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