How Aircraft Electrical Systems Work - For Student Pilots

This is the final video of my series on aircraft systems. Go to my channel to see the others, which include:
-Ignition and Combustion System
-Pitot-Static System
-Airspeed Indicator
-VSI
-Altimeter
-Vacuum System
-Fuel System
-Electrical System (this video)

The electrical system of an aircraft is comprised of two main electrical generators... The alternator and the battery. The alternator powers the entire electrical system whenever the engine is running. A belt connected to the engine spins a rotor in the alternator which creates the electricity. From the alternator, the electricity flows to the primary aircraft bus. The primary aircraft bus is the central point for the electrical system and distributes the electricity to the individual electric components such as radios, lights, transponders, and electrical pumps.

The battery provides power to the bus whenever the aircraft is not running or there is no alternator power. A battery can last between 20 and 30 minutes so pilots should take note if they ever encounter an alternator failure and understand that they will lose electrical systems in a short amount of time.

The master switch in the cockpit can be set to battery, alternator, or both. While the alternator is running, it is also recharging the battery. This is why the alternators normally output more voltage than the battery. Most trainer aircraft such as a Cessna Skyhawk or Cherokee Warrior has a 14 Volt alternator and 12 Volt battery.

Electrical systems need to protect the electrical components from over-voltage scenarios. To do this, aircraft electrical systems use a voltage regulator in the alternator. Since the alternator spins as the engine spins and the engine can be running at many different RPMs... this means that the alternator can produce many different voltage outputs. In order to maintain a constant voltage output, a voltage regulator is used. Then, each electrical component has its own circuit breaker or set of fuses. In the event of an over-voltage, the fuse will burn and sever the electrical line to the component, protecting the equipment. In the case of circuit breakers, they pop out to end the current flow to the equipment. Most aircraft nowadays use circuit breakers because they only require being popped back into place in the event of an over-voltage while a fuse requires replacement. Because of this, the FAA requires pilots flying at night in an aircraft with fuses to have 3 replacements for each fuse. Although a circuit breaker is much easier to reconnect your electrical system... pilots should take caution in continuing to fly after a circuit breaker pops because it is likely an indication of more serious electrical problems.

If you have any questions, please comment below!

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🛫 Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:55 Primary Aircraft Bus
01:52 Alternator
02:51 Battery
03:54 Master Switch
04:32 Circuit Breakers

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