Aviation Mechanic - General, Airframe, and Powerplant › II. Airframe › Task K. Aircraft Electrical Systems

AM.II.K.K2

Knowledge

Alternators, AC generation systems, and AC power distribution systems.

Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Airframe p. 9-40
Chapter 9: Aircraft Electrical System › Aircraft Batteries › Power Systems
power distribution buses, and related fuses and wiring. Note that when referring to AC systems, the terms “alternator” and “generator” are often used interchangeably. This chapter uses the term “AC alternator.” AC power systems ... power into AC power. The electronic circuitry within an inverter is quite complex; however, for an aircraft technician’s purposes, the inverter is simply a device that uses DC power, then feeds power to an AC distribution…
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge p. 3-8
Chapter 3: Aircraft Construction › Subcomponents
generate, regulate, and distribute electrical power throughout the aircraft. There are several different power sources on aircraft to power the aircraft electrical systems. These power sources include: engine-driven alternating current (AC) generators, auxiliary power units (APUs…
Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Airframe p. 9-54
Chapter 9: Aircraft Electrical System › Aircraft Electrical Systems › Light Multiengine Aircraft
control AC power. Many aircraft simply power the inverter whenever the DC bus is powered and no inverter power switch is needed. On complex aircraft, more than one inverter may be used to provide a backupAC power source. Many ... redundancy and, therefore, often contain a more complex power distribution system when compared to light single-engine aircraft. With two engines, these aircraft can drive two alternators (or generators) that supply current to the various loads of the aircraft…