Ground power units are vital in supplying parked airplanes enough power to maintain electrical function.
If you’ve ever wondered what type of power an aircraft uses when it’s docked at the airport stand, then this article will help provide you with the necessary information to better understand how these planes receive the electrical current needed to function. Now, normally, the aircraft will generate power on its own. But, when the aircraft is parked with the engine switched off, the power provided by the airport will be needed in order to maintain electrical functions. The connected power ranges but is usually 115 volts at 400Hz and is called ground power.
Multiple Units
A fixed ground power unit is the supplier of 400 Hz power that utilizes a permanently installed fixture for use on a parked aircraft. The number of ground power units depend on the aircraft size. The larger the plane, the more units will be needed due to the high demand of electrical current.
The Conversion Process
The conversion process of the mains power to 400 Hz power is usually done in a centralized location or by frequency converters. Note that smaller airfields use a portable power pack rather than a fixed unit due to the lack of a centralized system. Now, when a centralized system supplies power, it’s usually a large quantity. The power is converted at a central location and then 400 Hz is then distributed to the aircraft. This process is crucial to the healthy functionalities of a power supply system. In point of use, the main power is taken close to the aircraft, and the conversion process is carried at the point of use.
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