Airframe Electrical Systems Quiz #5
Explain in detail the operation of a battery/parallel wound generator circuit.
Generator(4 points)
Battery(2 points) - ANS -**Generator side**
1. the pilot turns on the master switch and completes a path for current in the field of the
generator
2. Current/voltage is produces in the armature by electromagnetic induction, flows through the
field to the voltage regulator in the GCU and to ground.
3. Current/voltage leaves the armature through a different path and flows tot he current limiter
and out of the RCCR in the GCU to the bus.
4. This also charges the battery.
**Battery side**
1. the pilot turns on the master switch and completes a path for current to flow to ground.
2. Current/Voltage energizes the solenoid which completes circuit for current to flow to the bus.
\How is the alternator controlled by the pilot? - ANS -a split master switch
\The avionics bus is often depowered when what? - ANS -the starter motor is activated
\The battery master must be ON and the master solenoid _____ in order to start the engine with
the battery? - ANS -closed
\What are the 2 acceptable forms of anti-collision lights? - ANS -red rotating
white strobes
\What are the 3 source circuits that are found in aircraft? - ANS -1. Battery circuit
2. Generator Circuit
3. Alternator Circuit
\What are used to control electrical power between the aircraft generator and the bus, by
controlling both power to and from the generator? - ANS -Generator circuits
\What does a AMBER indication light mean? - ANS -a item of caution (soon attention needed)
\What does a GREEN indication light mean? - ANS -Safe conditions
\What does a RED indication light mean? - ANS -a item needs immediate attention
\What does external power allow? - ANS -operations of electrical systems on the ground without
discharging the battery
\What does the depowering of the avionics when the start motor is activated prevent? - ANS
-any voltage spikes produced by the starter from entering into the avionics
\What happens in the circuit when the pilot turns off the alternator master switch? - ANS -the
rotor turns off, which stops residual magnetism in the field.
\What is often used for starting the engine or maintenance activities on a plane? - ANS -External
power
\What is often used for starting the engine or maintenance activities on a plane? - ANS -External
power
\What is the most dangerous short circuit that occurs when a positive wire creates an unwanted
connection to a negative ground called? - ANS -short to ground
Explain in detail the operation of a battery/parallel wound generator circuit.
Generator(4 points)
Battery(2 points) - ANS -**Generator side**
1. the pilot turns on the master switch and completes a path for current in the field of the
generator
2. Current/voltage is produces in the armature by electromagnetic induction, flows through the
field to the voltage regulator in the GCU and to ground.
3. Current/voltage leaves the armature through a different path and flows tot he current limiter
and out of the RCCR in the GCU to the bus.
4. This also charges the battery.
**Battery side**
1. the pilot turns on the master switch and completes a path for current to flow to ground.
2. Current/Voltage energizes the solenoid which completes circuit for current to flow to the bus.
\How is the alternator controlled by the pilot? - ANS -a split master switch
\The avionics bus is often depowered when what? - ANS -the starter motor is activated
\The battery master must be ON and the master solenoid _____ in order to start the engine with
the battery? - ANS -closed
\What are the 2 acceptable forms of anti-collision lights? - ANS -red rotating
white strobes
\What are the 3 source circuits that are found in aircraft? - ANS -1. Battery circuit
2. Generator Circuit
3. Alternator Circuit
\What are used to control electrical power between the aircraft generator and the bus, by
controlling both power to and from the generator? - ANS -Generator circuits
\What does a AMBER indication light mean? - ANS -a item of caution (soon attention needed)
\What does a GREEN indication light mean? - ANS -Safe conditions
\What does a RED indication light mean? - ANS -a item needs immediate attention
\What does external power allow? - ANS -operations of electrical systems on the ground without
discharging the battery
\What does the depowering of the avionics when the start motor is activated prevent? - ANS
-any voltage spikes produced by the starter from entering into the avionics
\What happens in the circuit when the pilot turns off the alternator master switch? - ANS -the
rotor turns off, which stops residual magnetism in the field.
\What is often used for starting the engine or maintenance activities on a plane? - ANS -External
power
\What is often used for starting the engine or maintenance activities on a plane? - ANS -External
power
\What is the most dangerous short circuit that occurs when a positive wire creates an unwanted
connection to a negative ground called? - ANS -short to ground
