Electrical Failure Flashcards
What are the primary source of electrical power?
Engine-driven alternator or generator.
What does regulates voltage?
alternator control unit or voltage regulator.
What does indicates the system’s charging status?
An ammeter or loadmeter
What are the electrical components?
fuel pump, radios, Navigation systems, lights, turn coordinator
What is a Circuit breakers?
watchdogs that prevent faulty components from dangerously overheating.
What is a battery?
Provides power to start the engine(s)
absorb voltage surges and compensate for voltage drops,
emergency source of system power should the alternator or generator fail.
What is the indication of a alternator failure?
Discharge indication on an ammeter.
Ammeters should indicate a zero charge in normal operations. A discharging condition, indicated by a minus indication on these gauges, means that the battery is running down.
Why Ammeter is showing zero?
The alternator is no longer charging it, and the battery’s power is being robbed by the electrical system’s components.
What is the first step if the alternator is out? What happens if it repeats?
reset it
If voltage drops once more, turn the alternator off, turn off all non-essential radios, and land as soon as practical.
What is Runaway alternator?
alternator produces too much voltage, and the alternator control unit or voltage regulator cannot stem the flow of electricity.
Runaway alternator? Result?
fry all the components currently in use and progress into a full-blown electrical fire.
Solution to runaway alternator?
reset the alternator and hope that voltages returns to normal.
Why circuit breakers pop?
component is either receiving too much current, is overheating, or maybe just received an inconsequential, transient, random shot of voltage.
What is the procedure during an Electrical fire?
Turn off the battery and alternator switches,
turn off all radios and other electrical components,
use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, and land as soon as practicable.
vent the cabin with fresh air after using a fire extinguisher.
What are the procedures in case of Electrical malfunction?
Reset alternator/generator by turning their switches or circuit breakers off, then on again.
If problem persists, turn alternator/generator off.
