E Power Generation

Question 1

What are 2 common components of a generator?

Answer 1

An armature and a magnet

Question 2

What is the basic principle of an AC generator?

Answer 2

The magnet is spun near coils

Question 3

What is the basic principle of an DC generator?

Answer 3

The coils are spun near a magnet

Question 4

What is the speed of rotation known as?

Answer 4

The frequency

Question 5

What is a phase?

Answer 5

A pair of poles

Question 6

What does GCU mean?

Answer 6

Generator control unit

Question 7

What does PMG mean?

Answer 7

Permanent magnet generator

Question 8

What does RDA mean?

Answer 8

Rectifier diode assembly

Question 9

What is the frequency used for an A320/B737?

Answer 9

400Hz

Question 10

Frequency equation

Answer 10

F = (P x RPM)/120 or F = (PP x RPM)/60

P - number or poles, PP - number of pole pairs

Question 11

What does CSD mean?

Answer 11

Constant speed drive

Question 12

Which 2 parameters of the CSD need to be monitored on the flight deck?

Answer 12

• Oil temperature

- Oil pressure

Question 13

What does IDG mean?

Answer 13

Integrated drive generator

Question 14

What monitors the IDG and how?

Answer 14

The GCU using a speed sensor and by monitoring output frequency

Question 15

How does the GCU control frequency?

Answer 15

By using the CSD

Question 16

What is the phase voltage?

Answer 16

The root mean squared value of peak voltage

Question 17

What is line voltage?

Answer 17

A calculated measurement to ensure equality between phases and monitor for fault detection

Question 18

What dos KVA mean?

Answer 18

Kilo-volts x amps

Question 19

What do KVA’s do?

Answer 19

Measurement of useful power

Question 20

What does KVAR mean?

Answer 20

Kilo-volts x amp reactive, wasted power

Question 21

How is KVA managed?

Answer 21

Balanced by CSDU torque

Question 22

How is KVAR managed?

Answer 22

Balance by the voltage regulator

Question 23

What does the rectifier do?

Answer 23

Transfers AC current through a diode that cancels out the negative half of the sine wave, creating full wave rectification

Question 24

How does a DC generator rectify AC output?

Answer 24

Uses a split-ring commutator to cancel out the negative half of the sine wave

Question 25

What does a voltage regulator do?

Answer 25

Controls the field strength of the electromagnet in the generator, weaker field strength - smaller current output due to reduction in load

Question 26

What is reverse current protection?

Answer 26

Stops the battery powering the generator when the battery voltage is higher, this stops huge mechanical load on the drive line

Question 27

What does a starter motor do?

Answer 27

Combines a generator and starter motor in one unit, a controller switches the terminals, thereby switching functions