POWER QUALITY ANALYSIS IN A HERCULES AIRCRAFT POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Cartier, J. C.; Bouchard, D. E.; Chikhani, A. Y.

doi:10.21608/asat.2001.31144

POWER QUALITY ANALYSIS IN A HERCULES AIRCRAFT POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Transport Canada Aircraft Certification, Engineering.

² Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Royal Military College of Canada.

³ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Royal Military College of Canada

10.21608/asat.2001.31144

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Power system studies can provide useful information on the performance of existing and future systems during both normal and abnormal operating conditions. For example, system studies can reveal harmonics and over-voltage transients, system characteristics which can significantly and adversely affect system performance. The sources of these undesirable characteristics are many and varied, and include transformers, switching transients, nonlinear loads, and devices such as the static power converter. The future use of nonlinear loads is expected to increase since these loads are generally highly efficient. Unfortunately, as the use of these loads increase, waveform distortion is also expected to increase. The resulting waveform distortion will influence overall system performance unless adequate steps are taken to control and maintain power quality.
Future advanced aircraft avionics systems will require reliable, redundant, and uninterrupted electrical power to supply flight and mission critical loads. The Canadian Forces CC-130 Hercules aircraft fleet is scheduled for an avionics update that will include complex, sensitive avionics equipment. The power quality required for this update may not be adequate since the existing electrical distribution system was designed to satisfy load requirements of the 1950's.
This paper describes the use of Microtran7 software, a transients analysis simulation program, and the development of a laboratory model to predict the CC-130 Hercules aircraft electrical switching transients and steady-state response, including voltage and current harmonic levels on the power distribution system using tabulated equipment load data. The simulation and laboratory results are then compared for validation with field measurement data.

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