Powerplant · Lesson 33 of 40
Engine Electrical Systems
DC generators, alternators and starter-generators, the regulators and protection that control them, AC generation with CSDs and IDGs, paralleling, and how to choose, route and protect engine wiring, with a worked wire-size calculation.
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Part of A&P Complete
This lesson is in the full course
- Compare series, shunt and compound DC generators, DC alternators and starter-generators
- Explain how voltage regulators, current limiters, reverse-current relays and generator control units protect the system
- Describe AC generation with brushless alternators, constant-speed drives and integrated drive generators
- Explain why and how generators are paralleled, and why split-bus AC systems keep generators apart
- Select a wire size from length, current and allowable voltage drop, and apply routing and circuit protection rules