Electrical System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of the battery?

A

Supplies power for the starter motor and acts as a backup if the alternator fails

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2
Q

What are the two types of batteries and which one is most common on most modern planes?

A

24 volt and 12 volt.

24 volt is most common on modern planes. Some older planes may have 12v

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3
Q

Most vehicles have 12v batteries…could you use a car to jump start your plane?

A

Only if my plane also has a 12v battery

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4
Q

What does an alternator do?

A

Alternators produce electrical power/current even at low RPM (which is why they are prefered to generators).

During flight, the alternator provides components like lights, flaps, gear, avionics, de-icing equipment, etc, with electrical power and recharges the battery.

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5
Q

Why are generators more suitable to jet engine aircraft/turbine engines?

A

Generators only produce electricity in a very specific and small range of RPM settings. Because these types of engines spin at very high RMP values constantly, it will be most efficient to use a generator.

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6
Q

The master switch has the Alternator on the left and the Battery on the right. Which of them can be turned on an off independantly?

A

The battery can be turned on independantly of the alternator. Turning off the battery turns off both sides.

The alternator cannot be on unless the battery is also on.

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7
Q

What is the ammeter telling you if it shows a negative/discharge?

A

The alternator is not working and all the electrical equipment is drawing directly from the battery

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8
Q

After showing a discharge on the ammeter, you cycle the master switch. If the alternator comes back on line, what will the ammeter likely show?

A

A more positive charge than usual, as the battery was drained and is now refilling.

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9
Q

Some AC dont have an ammeter, they have a loadmeter. What is a loadmeter?

A

It counts the total of each componant (radio, lights, turn coordinator etc) that it is supplying power to.

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10
Q

If your alternator fails, what would a loadmeter show?

A

A defelction of 0, because electicrity passes through it from the alternator.

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11
Q

What does a full scale positive deflection on the ammeter mean?

A

It indicates a malfunction of the voltage regulator

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12
Q

What is the purpose of the voltage regulator?

A

It controls the rate of charge to the battery by stabilizing the alternator electrical output.

The output should be higher than the bettery voltage. Example: a 12v battery would be fed by an alternator system of 14v. In a 24v battery, it would be 28v.

The difference in voltage keeps the battery charged.

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13
Q

If you have a hard positive deflection on your ammeter and suspect a voltage regulator malfunction and cycling the master does not fix it, what should you do?

A

Turn off the alternator side of the master. Without the voltage regulator, the alternator could fry the electrical system and battery.

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14
Q

Most modern AC have circuit breakers. What did/do old AC have?

A

Fuses

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15
Q

Why do you have to make sure all your electronics are off before starting the engine?

A

Because the voltage regulator sends a burst of electricity to the alternator to start it. If it happened to keep going it would fry your electronics

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