AS350B3 ELECTRICAL

SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Over Voltage and Reverse Current Detection

Protection against over voltage during normal operation:

- the generator supplies busbar PP12 via contactor K4.
- PCB Z2 monitors the generator output voltage via fuse F4
- if the voltage exceeds 31.5Vdc, coil “b” in the Z2 card is grounded which energizes the
bistable relay.
- the bistable relay contacts open which causes relay K1 and contactor K4 to de-energize.
- the opening of K1 removes the excitation from the generator.
- the opening of contactor K4 isolates the generator from busbar PP12.
- PCB Z2 is fitted with a test pushbutton allowing verification of detection circuit operation.

Protection against return currents:

- the MCR sensor monitors the generator current and will detect a “reverse” current flow from
the busbar PP12 to the generator.
- the cut out module in the PCB Z1 card de-energizes contactor K4.
- the “GEN” light comes on.

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SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Generator Reset Function

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Generator Reset Function

After an over voltage:

- the “GEN RESET” pushbutton is pressed.
- the PCB Z2 coil “a” is energized which changes the state of the bistable relay.
- relay K1 energizes.
- voltage from PP12 is applied via the “GEN RESET” pushbutton thru a current limiting resistor
to the excitation input of the generator.
- contactor K4 is energized cutting the generator into the system.
- time delay “T” of bistable relay coil “a” inhibits resetting when the over voltage is continuous.

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SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Emergency Cutoff Function

The “EMERG CUTOFF” pushbutton is used in case of emergency to

simultaneously cut off the generator and the battery.

When the “EMERG CUTOFF” pushbutton is depressed, generator

excitation relay K1 is de-energized which causes the generator to be
isolated from the power system.

When the “EMERG CUTOFF” pushbutton is depressed, power is

removed from contactor K5 which isolates the battery from the power
system.

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SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Direct Battery

Although the “EMERG CUTOFF” function isolates the

helicopter battery from busbar PP12, a few items of
equipment , essential for flight safety, are still powered
directly from the battery.

The lighting on the pilot’s overhead panel is energized by

direct battery power from the electrical master box via fuse F3.

Equipment such as the Nr indicator, Delta Ng indicator and

the intercom system are all energized via fuse 2E3 located
above the battery.

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SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Direct Battery, SMS

PP15

3PP23E 3PP22E CF12

3PP20E CF12

CF16
16ALP BREAKER PANEL 14P BREAKER
CONSOLE RIGHT HOLD

3PE37NE CF20

+ -

77K EMER SW
INST PANEL 21P BATTERY
RIGHT HOLD

3PE38E CF20
DBATT
3PE28E CF20

PP6
3PW17E 3PW54E

35P CONTACTOR
RIGHT HOLD 31ALP32 BREAKER PANEL
CONSOLE

3PW54F

3PW19NE

3PW52E

+28V
LIGHT DB CTL
3PW53E

PP15
3PW51NE 40P RELAY
CONSOLE
30ALP ELECTRICAL SYST. CONTROL BOX 16ALP BREAKER PANEL
CONSOLE CONSOLE

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SYSTEMS COURSE
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GENERAL OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Direct Battery, MCB

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1 ALPHA SCHEMATIC

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 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box schematic.

This schematic is a representation of the MASTER ELECTRICAL BOX as installed in the

Eurocopter AS350 aircraft. The functionality of this schematic encompasses numerous versions
of the 1 Alpha box and AS350 variants. For detailed information, refer to the component
maintenance manual or aircraft manuals that are applicable to the equipment in question.

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EPU OPERATION

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation with external power.

- An active external power source is plugged into the aircraft at 22P.

- Contactor relay K6 CPP has DC power applied to terminals ‘B’ and ‘43’. K6 CPP is awaiting a
ground at terminal ‘44’ in order to energize.

- DC power is routed via fuse 2P1, connector J1 pin ‘N’, then to the Z1 card pin ‘11’.

- From the Z1 card pin ‘14’, DC power is routed to relay K2 RPP pin ‘2’.

- Ground is routed thru J1 pins ‘J’,’E’, and ’D’, to the MASTER switch and back to J1 pins ‘C’ and
‘B’. From J1 pin ‘B’ ground is sent to the EXT PWR BATT switch.

- With the EXT PWR BATT switch being enabled, ground is routed thru J1 pin ‘G’ and applied to
relay K2 RPP pins ‘10’, which now energizes.

- Ground is passed thru the relaxed contactor relay K5 CB terminals ‘31’ and ‘30’, via the
energized relay K2 RPP pins ‘3 ‘ and ‘1’, to terminal ‘44’ of the contactor relay K6 CPP.

- Contactor relay K5 CPP, with both power and ground present, energizes closing the contact
between ‘B’ and ‘A’. EPU power is now applied to the POWER SUPPLY BAR.

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BATTERY OPERATION

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation with battery.

- The battery ‘HOT BUS’ power is applied to the EXR PWR BATT switch via fuse F2 of the
TB2 assembly.

- Battery ‘HOT BUS’ power is also present at contactor relay K5 CB terminal ‘B’.

- Ground is present at relay contactor K5 CB terminal ‘33’, being supplied thru contactor relay
K6 CPP terminals ‘41’ and ‘40’.

- With the EXT PWR BATT switch enabled, power is routed to contactor relay K5 CB terminal
‘34’ thru the normally closed contacts of the MASTER switch.

- Now with both power and ground present at terminals ‘33’ and ‘34’ of contactor relay K5 CB,
K5 CB energizes, closing the contact between terminals ‘B’ and ‘A’.

- Battery power is now supplied to the POWER SUPPLY BAR.

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START OPERATION

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation during engine start (battery start).

- The ‘hot’ POWER SUPPLY BAR supplies power to the PP9 bus.

- Bus PP9 supplies power to the STARTING PCB ‘23K’.

- The START SWITCH is engaged allowing the STARTING PCB to transfer power via relay
K1-REX pins ‘4’ and ‘1’ to contactor K3-CD terminal ‘23’.

- With ground at contactor K3-CD terminal ‘24’ and power now present at terminal ‘23’, contactor
K3-CD energizes.

- When contactor K3-CD energizes, the contact between ‘A’ and ‘B’ closes which allows power
to be supplied out of the 1 Alpha box to the STARTER GENERATOR.

- The STARTER GENERATOR now operates in the ‘START’ mode.

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GENERATOR EXCITATION 'A'

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation during generator excitation (part A).

- Power is routed from bus PP6 through the normally closed contacts of the CRANK switch to
the GENERATOR switch.

- With the GENERATOR switch depressed, power is now routed through the START switch to
connector J1 pin ‘L’.

- From connector J1 pin ‘L’ power is passed through the Z2 CARD pins ‘W’ and ‘X’ to relay
K1-REX pin ‘10’.

- K1-REX with ground at pin ‘2’ and power at pin ‘10’, energizes.

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GENERATOR EXCITATION 'B'

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation during generator excitation (part B).

- Power from bus PP6 is also applied to the Z1 CARD pin ‘1’ which allows the 1 SECOND
MEMORY circuitry to close itsrelay.

- When the 1 SECOND MEMORY relay closes, power from TB2 fuse F2 which was applied to
the Z1 CARD pin ‘2’, exits the Z1 CARD at pin ‘3’.

- Power from the Z1 CARD pin ‘3’ is ro uted through the energized relay K1-REX pins ‘11’ and
‘9’ to the excitation input of the STARTER-GENERATOR.

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GENERATOR OUTPUT 'A'

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY

 AS350B3 ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS COURSE
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DETAILED OPERATION OF THE DC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

1 Alpha master box operation with generator output voltage (part A).

- The Generator 28Vdc output is applied to contactor K4-CG terminal ‘B’ and through fuse ‘F4’
to the Z1 CARD pin ‘F’.

- Inside the Z1 CARD, the generator out put is compared to the POWER SUPPLY BAR voltage
which is applied to pin ‘D’ from TB2 fuse ‘F5’.

- If the generator output voltage is greater than 0.5Vdc as compared to the POWER SUPPLY BAR,
the GEN-BUS COMPARATOR closes its relay allowing ground to be passed via Z1 pin ‘C’
to terminal ‘14’ of the contactor K4-CG.

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GENERATOR OUTPUT 'B'

FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION ONLY