AC power supplies for avionics applications

When testing inductive, capacitive, or resistive products, the aircraft’s power supply system is a key factor in ensuring flight safety. AC power supplies generate single-phase or three-phase voltage, with variations in both voltage and frequency possible. Additionally, simulating an unbalanced output or generating harmonic distortion is also possible.

The steady-state characteristics of the AC/DC busbar determine whether the required electrical power can be supplied under normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions, as specified in, for example, ISO 1540:2006

ISO 1540:2006: Specifies the characteristics of the electrical power supplied to the terminals of electrical consumer equipment installed in an aircraft. It is intended to support the interface definition for user equipment designed to accept electrical power in a variety of new applications for civil aircraft, such as those certified through the Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification process. It may not be desirable for equipment intended for a single application or a specific military application to comply with ISO 1540:2006 due to the penalties associated with multiple applications.

AC power supplies generate single-phase or three-phase voltage, with the ability to vary both voltage and frequency. They can also simulate an unbalanced output or generate harmonic distortion. In addition, an AC power supply can be used to perform PQ tests, in which voltage dips and interruptions can be easily programmed in accordance with the test requirements of ISO 1540:2006 or MIL-STD-704/GJB 5189-2003.

The AC power supply can verify the aircraft’s AC/DC power system for steady-state characteristics, transient characteristics of the power supply, and electrical equipment compatibility. The flexible master-slave parallel connection can meet the increasing power testing requirements of large aircraft while maintaining accuracy and performance after parallel connection.

MIL-STD-704/GJB 5189-2003

This standard establishes the requirements and characteristics of the electrical power supplied to the input terminals of aircraft electrical equipment. MIL-HDBK-704-1 through 8 defines test methods and procedures for determining the compliance of in-flight equipment with the electrical power characteristics requirements defined herein.

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1. Aerospace and aviation, electrical testing solutions
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4. AC power supplies for avionics applications
5. 270 VDC in the avionics
6. APS4000 Simulation Software for Power System of Aerospace
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