Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Aircraft electrical system performance

The satisfactory performance of any modern aircraft depends to a very great degree on the continuing reliability of electrical systems and subsystems. Improperly or carelessly installed or maintained wiring can be a source of both immediate and potential danger.

Guide to aircraft electrical system
Guide to aircraft electrical system (photo credit: skyscrapercity.com)

The continued proper performance of electrical systems depends on the knowledge and technique of the mechanic who installs, inspects, and maintains the electrical system wires and cables.


Aircraft Batteries

Aircraft batteries are used for many functions (e.g., ground power, emergency power, improving DC bus stability, and fault clearing). Most small private aircraft use lead acid batteries. Most commercial and corporate aircraft use nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries.

However, other lead acid types of batteries are becoming available, such as the valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries.

Valve-regulated lead acid battery (sealed battery)
Valve-regulated lead acid battery (sealed battery)

The battery best suited for a particular application depends on the relative importance of several characteristics, such as weight, cost, volume, service or shelf life, discharge rate, maintenance, and charging rate. Any change of battery type may be considered a major alteration.

Aircraft batteries are usually identified by the material used for the plates. The two most common types of battery used are lead acid and NiCd batteries.

Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries (VRLA) contain all electrolyte absorbed in glass-mat separators with no free electrolyte and are sometimes referred to as sealed batteries.

The electrochemical reactions for VRLA batteries are the same as flooded batteries, except for the gas recombination mechanism that is predominant in VRLA batteries. These types of battery are used in general aviation and turbine powered aircraft and are sometimes authorized replacements for NiCd batteries.

Title:Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Aircraft Electrical System by U.S. Department of transportation; Federal Aviation Administration
Format:PDF
Size:12.1 MB
Pages:106
Download:Right here | Video Courses | Membership | Download Updates
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Aircraft Electrical System by U.S. Department of transportation; Federal Aviation Administration

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, advanced electrical engineering guides, papers, and much more! It will help you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
50% Discount 💥 - Save 50% on all 90+ video courses with Enterprise Membership plan.

More Information

One Comment


  1. bahri mohammed mouloud
    May 17, 2021

    i have found your website very useful

Leave a Reply to bahri mohammed mouloud

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

thirty seven  −  34  =  

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge