Aircraft Ground Power Support Equipment
We usually wonder what kind of energy an airplane uses to stay on the air during flight and when stationed, especially periods when the engine is been turned off. Questions that run through our mind could be if the stationed aircraft in the terminal still requires electricity or any sort of power to keep engines charged especially when is not been used. Research shows that aircraft need to maintain a specific amount of voltage when stationed at the airport terminal, there are several types of grand power equipment available and used in powering up the aircraft station at the airport to give and maintain the accurate voltage required. Frequently some aircraft if not all generates its own power source internally, although when parked and switched off power will be provided and connected to the aircraft by airport management providing a ground support equipment at the terminal. The precise amount of energy and voltage required is specifically 115 V at 400 Hz commonly known as Ground Power support equipment.
The Ground Power Support Equipment, Hence, Consist Of Various Types Used In Powering Up Aircrafts Stationed At The Airport Terminal.
The Ground Power Unit (GPU) Is a vehicle capable of supplying power to aircraft stationed on the ground. Ground power units are built into the jetway, initiating it to supply electrical power to aircraft. Most aircraft require 28 V of direct current DC and 115 V 400 Hz of alternating current AC.
The conversion of the main power to 400 Hz is accurately done either centralized or at the point of used by frequency converters.
Mobile Ground Power Equipment
The mobile power ground equipment is also another method used in powering the aircraft in absence of fixed ground power equipment, the mobile power ground unit equipment is then expanded normally towed or mounted on a vehicle, it carries it to the point where the aircraft is stationed ready to be powered up using diesel generators.
The Electrical Characteristics
Each aircraft has a strict specification, the required amount of power needed to power it up with a given mathematical calculation. The amount of kVA needed is completely conditional on the type and size of the aircraft. During the manufacturing, design processes, the amount of power needed is been calculated with all suitable equipment installed.
Voltage Drop
It was previously examined that the 400 Hz was first adopted for aircraft designs as at then it warranted for a compact design with lighter weight for the electrical system. Generators providing 400 Hz normally use less copper in their windings and smaller magnetic cores of 50 or 60 Hz making them lighter, comparatively with the short transmission distances in aircraft with negative aspects of larger voltage dropping at 400 Hz.
Frequency Converters
Some commercial airports ground power equipment runs between 50 to 60Hz, consequently, the frequency converter is expected to convert this voltage to the 400 Hz needed for the aircraft operation, just as current aircraft operates on a no break power transfer, which shows that consumption is transferred from the aircraft’s own power generating units, to ground generated power without possible interruption.
However, is not in every circumstance an aircraft synchronization equipment is accurate, therefore employing frequency converters that can detect aircraft synchronization problems will be highly approved.
