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The A320 is equipped with two

air conditioning packs located
in the wing root area forward
of the landing gear bay.

Let’s look at how a pack

works.

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 Pack
PackFlow
Flow
Control
ControlValve
Valve

HOT BLEED AIR

Hot bleed air enters the pack via a pack flow control
valve.

The purpose of this valve is to adjust the flow rate

through the pack.

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 Cool
CoolConditioned
ConditionedAir
Air

HOT BLEED AIR

The air then passes through several stages within the pack that
progressively cool the air to provide a conditioned air output. In
fact, sub-zero temperatures can be achieved.

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 Cool
CoolConditioned
ConditionedAir
Air

Pack
PackInlet
InletScoop
Scoop Outlet
OutletDuct
Duct

HOT BLEED AIR

Two of the stages are heat exchangers that use a flow of ambient air
over them to cool the hot bleed air. This flow of air enters via a pack
inlet scoop and exits via an outlet duct.

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 So that the output temperature of the
pack can be adjusted, a by-pass
valve is fitted.

This valve allows warmer air to be

mixed with the cold air.
By-Pass
By-Pass
Valve
Valve

HOT BLEED AIR

Note: The by-pass valve provides for greater fuel efficiency. Since the pack,
in many circumstances, can be by-passed, less bleed air is needed from the
engines. Thus, less thrust is needed, and therefore, less fuel.

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 The pack flow control valve, and
the by-pass valve, are regulated
by a pack controller to vary the
flow rate and temperature output.

By-Pass
By-Pass
Valve
Valve

Pack
PackFlow
FlowControl
ControlValve
Valve

Pack
Controller

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The pack controller also controls the inlet scoop and outlet duct to vary the amount of air
passing over the heat exchangers.
Note: To avoid ingestion of foreign matter the inlet scoop and outlet duct close
temporarily during take off and landing.

Pack
PackInlet
InletScoop
Scoop Outlet
OutletDuct
Duct

Pack
Controller

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 Cool
CoolConditioned
ConditionedAir
Air

Pack 1 Pack 2
Air
AirConditioning
ConditioningPacks
Packs

HOT BLEED AIR

The two air conditioning packs operate automatically

and independently to provide cool conditioned air.

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Pack 1 Pack 2

Mixing
MixingUnit
Unit

The conditioned air from the packs is then fed to a

mixing unit.

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 MIXING UNIT

Pack 1 Pack 2

Ram Air

Ram
RamAir
Air
Valve
Valve

In case of failure of both packs, ram air is provided via a ram air
valve. We will look at the use of ram air in the abnormal operation
module.

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 MIXING UNIT

Pack 1 Pack 2
o o
PACK OUTLET
TEMP
15 C 5 C PACK OUTLET
TEMP
Ram Air
BY-PASS VALVE BY-PASS VALVE
POSITION POSITION

COMPRESSOR o o COMPRESSOR
OUTLET TEMP 115 C 120 C OUTLET TEMP

PACK FLOW PACK FLOW

Various pack parameters are monitored by ECAM.

They are:
- Pack flow
- Compressor outlet temperature
- By-pass valve position
- Pack outlet temperature

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 MIXING UNIT

Pack 1 Pack 2
o o
PACK OUTLET
TEMP
15 C 5 C PACK OUTLET
TEMP
Ram Air
BYPASS VALVE BYPASS VALVE
POSITION POSITION

COMPRESSOR o o COMPRESSOR
OUTLET TEMP 115 C 120 C OUTLET TEMP

PACK FLOW PACK FLOW

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 [][][][][][] [][]

These parameters, along with the valve positions, are

displayed on the upper part of the ECAM BLEED page.

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 ECAM BLEED Page

Having discussed the air conditioning packs we will now

look at how temperature and flow regulation is achieved
throughout the aircraft.

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 Three
ThreeTemperature
TemperatureZones
Zones

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2

The three outputs from the mixing unit feed three separate
aircraft zones, cockpit, forward cabin, and aft cabin.

Let’s look at how the temperature of the zones is managed.

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 Zone Control
Computer

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack Pack Pack

Controller 1 2 Controller

A zone control computer monitors the temperatures of the three

zones and sends signals to the pack controllers to set the air
temperature delivered by the packs.

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 Mixing Unit

Cold
ColdAir
Air
Pack Pack
1 2

Normally cold air is delivered by the packs and is then

sent to the three zones.

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 Trim
TrimAir
AirValves
Valves

HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2 Hot
Bleed Air

Since the different areas of the aircraft may require different

amounts of cooling, or heating, hot bleed air can be added via
trim air valves to achieve the demanded temperature for a zone.

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 HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2 Hot
Bleed Air

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 HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2 Hot
Bleed Air

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 HOT
In the example shown:
AIR
• no hot air is being
Mixing Unit
added to the cockpit
zone
Pack Pack
• some hot air is being
added to the forward
1 2 Hot
cabin zone Bleed Air

• a lot of hot air is

being added to the
aft cabin zone

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 Hot
HotAir
Air
Valve
Valve

HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2 Hot
Bleed Air

The trim air valves are supplied via a hot air valve. The
purpose of this valve is to regulate the pressure of the hot
air supplied to the trim system and to act as a shut off.

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 HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2

The hot bleed air is supplied to the hot air valve from just
downstream of the pack flow valves. This means that if the pack
flow valves are closed there is no air supplied to the trim system.
The hot air valve and the trim air valves will automatically close.

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 Zone Control
Computer

HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2

The trim air valves and the hot air valve are controlled by
the zone control computer.

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 Zone
ZoneDuct
Duct
Temperature
Temperature

72 77 84

HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
1 2

Zone duct temperature, which is the temperature of

the air entering a zone,

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 Zone
Zone
Temperature
Temperature

74 70 68

22
72
0
77 84

HOT
AIR

and the actual zone temperature are monitored by the zone

control computer and presented on ECAM.

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 ECAM Air Conditioning Page

The ECAM COND page contains zone temperature

and trim air system indications.

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 ECAM CRUISE Page

[][][][][][] [][]

The ECAM CRUISE page also contains zone

temperature indications.

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On the overhead panel there is an AIR COND panel which allows
pilot control of the air conditioning system.

Let’s look at the controls on this panel in a little more detail.

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OFF

[][][][][][] [][]

The PACK FLOW switches control their

associated pack flow control valves.

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OFF

[][][][][][] [][]

In the example shown PACK 1 is selected off and is indicating

closed, while PACK 2 is selected on and is indicating open.

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The PACK FLOW selector permits selection of desired pack flow.

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 [][][][][][] [][]

The guarded RAM AIR switch controls the RAM AIR valve.

In the example shown the RAM AIR valve is indicating closed.

Use of the RAM AIR switch is restricted to abnormal

conditions that will be discussed later.

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 HOT
HOTAIR
AIRValve
Valve

The HOT AIR switch is associated with the HOT AIR valve. There is a
HOT AIR valve indication on the ECAM COND page.

In the example shown the valve is indicating open.

Now let’s look at temperature control.

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Zone
Zone Temperature
TemperatureSelectors
Selectors

The zone temperature

selectors are used to
adjust the required
temperature for an
associated zone.

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 HOT
AIR

Mixing Unit

Pack Pack
Cabin 1 2 Cabin
Cabin Cabin
Fan
Fan Fan
Fan

Two cabin fans are fitted to reduce the bleed air requirement, and
therefore save fuel. These fans establish a recirculation flow of air from
the three aircraft zones to the mixing unit. In normal operation there are
no ECAM indications associated with the cabin fans.

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On the overhead panel there is a CAB FANS switch on the
VENTILATION panel to control the cabin fans. The CAB FANS switch
can be used to switch the fans off in response to ECAM procedure.

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MENU 40/55
 The conditioning of the air in the cargo
compartment is fully automatic. Ambient air from
the cabin area enters the cargo compartment via
an inlet isolation valve.

AFT

Inlet
InletIsolation
Isolation
Valve
Valve

Cabin
Ambient Air

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 Outlet
OutletIsolation
Isolation
Extractor
Extractorfan
fan Valve
Valve

AFT Overboard

The air is removed from the compartment

either by an extractor fan, or by differential
pressure.

Cabin The air is discharged overboard via an outlet

Ambient Air isolation valve.

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The operation of the isolation valve and the
extraction fan is controlled automatically by a
cargo ventilation controller.

AFT Overboard

Cargo
Ventilation
Controller
Cabin
Ambient Air

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To provide heating of the cargo compartment, hot
bleed air is supplied via a trim air valve. The
operation of the cargo trim air system is very
similar to the trim air system for the air
conditioning system.

AFT

Trim
TrimAir
Air
Valve
Valve

Cabin
Ambient Air HOT BLEED AIR

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A cargo heating controller controls the trim air valve
position to regulate the temperature of the compartment.
The information is presented on the ECAM COND page.

AFT

CARGO HEATING
CONTROLLER

Cabin
Ambient Air HOT BLEED AIR

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The cargo heating system is an extension of the air
conditioning system. Hot air is routed via an independent
HOT AIR valve for the aft cargo hold.

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 •Isolation Valves

Trim Air Valve

The system has a trim air valve and two isolation valves
which close immediately should smoke be sensed, thus
turning the aft cargo bin into a Class D compartment.

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The trim air valve is identical in operation to the trim air
valves for cabin conditioning. It is used to add or subtract
hot air.

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Duct temperature, and cargo compartment temperatures are
shown on the ECAM page.

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On the overhead panel there is a CARGO HEAT panel that
contains the controls associated with cargo heating and
conditioning.

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This is the ISOLATION VALVE switch. This
switch normally remains in the OPEN, or “lights
out” position.

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The temperature selector sends demand signals to the CARGO
HEAT controller. The CARGO HEAT controller then moves the
trim air valve to adjust the temperature of the air entering the
compartment.

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 Cargo Heating
Controller

The HOT AIR switch controls the aft cargo compartment HOT
AIR valve via the aft cargo heating controller. This switch also
normally remains in the “lights out” auto position.

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For normal operation of the cargo conditioning system the only pilot inputs required
are:

• to confirm that the switches are in their normal “lights out” position

• to set the required temperatures

Note that the mid position of the temperature selector is approximately 60 degrees F.

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LIST
LIST OF
OF SUBJECTS
SUBJECTS

Air Conditioning System

Switches & Indicators

Cargo Conditioning

RETURN TO PROGRAM

EXIT PROGRAM

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