AIRCRAFT ELECTRICS VARIABLES
The tables below indicate the properties for the Simulation Variables that can be used to get and set variables related to the electrical system of the aircraft. For information on the units listed for each variable, please see here: Simulation Variable Units
NOTE: When Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is running in multiplayer mode, only a small number of variables are communicated between aircraft. Those variables that are available will say so in the description as being either for "All Aircraft" or for "Shared Cockpit".
You can find a complete index of all available SimVars here: SimVar Index
The SimVars below are all related to the aircraft electrical system (including lights). Large parts of this system are setup using the [ELECTRICAL]
section of the system.cfg
file, and many may also require the use of the different to retrieve and edit their values.
General / Buses
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
BUS LOOKUP INDEX |
This is a settable simvar meaning that it can both be read and set. Some of the simvars in this list are using this to lookup a value using two arguments (one argument in addition to the component index). For example to check the state of the connection between a "circuit.45" and the "bus.2" it would be written as follows:
It should be notes that when |
- | |
BUS BREAKER PULLED |
This will be true if the bus breaker is pulled. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and a Bus name (or index). |
Bool | |
BUS CONNECTION ON |
This will be true if the bus is connected. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and a Bus name (or index). |
Bool | |
ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS:name |
Retrieve the amperage of the named (or indexed) Bus. | Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE:name |
Retrieve the voltage of the named (or indexed) Bus. | Volts | |
ELECTRICAL TOTAL LOAD AMPS |
Total load amps | Amperes | |
NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
Is the aircraft using the new Electrical System or the legacy FSX one. | Bool | |
ELECTRICAL AVIONICS BUS AMPS |
Avionics bus current Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL AVIONICS BUS VOLTAGE |
Avionics bus voltage Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Volts | |
ELECTRICAL BATTERY BUS AMPS |
Battery bus current Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL BATTERY BUS VOLTAGE |
Battery bus voltage Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Volts | |
ELECTRICAL GENALT LOAD |
This returns the percentage of the load output that is being consumed. This requires an alternator index when referencing. Obsolete, do not use! |
Percent | |
ELECTRICAL GENALT BUS AMPS |
The load handled by the alternator. This requires an alternator index when referencing. Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL GENALT BUS VOLTAGE |
General alternator voltage. This requires an alternator index when referencing. Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Volts | |
ELECTRICAL MAIN BUS AMPS |
Main main named (or indexed) Bus current. Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL MAIN BUS VOLTAGE |
The main named (or indexed) Bus voltage. Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Volts | |
ELECTRICAL OLD CHARGING AMPS |
Obsolete, do not use! Use |
Amps |
Batteries
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
BATTERY BREAKER PULLED |
This will be true if the battery breaker is pulled. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and a Battery name (or index). |
Bool | |
BATTERY CONNECTION ON |
This will be true if the battery is connected. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and a Battery name (or index). |
Bool | |
ELECTRICAL BATTERY ESTIMATED CAPACITY PCT |
The given Battery capacity over max capacity, 100 is full. | Percent | |
ELECTRICAL BATTERY LOAD:name |
The load handled by the named (or indexed) Battery, where negative values mean the battery is receiving current. | Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL BATTERY VOLTAGE:name |
The named (or indexed) Battery voltage. |
Volts | |
ELECTRICAL HOT BATTERY BUS AMPS |
Current available when the battery switch is turned off | Amperes | |
ELECTRICAL HOT BATTERY BUS VOLTAGE |
Voltage available when the battery switch is turned off | Volts | |
ELECTRICAL MASTER BATTERY:name |
The named (or indexed) Battery switch position, true if the switch is ON. |
Bool |
Breakers
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
BREAKER ADF * |
All these SimVars can be used to get or set the breaker state for the electrical system (either true or false). If the breaker is popped (set to false), then the associated circuit will not receive electricity.
|
Bool | |
BREAKER ALTFLD * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER AUTOPILOT |
Bool | ||
BREAKER AVNBUS1 * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER AVNBUS2 * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER AVNFAN * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER FLAP |
Bool | ||
BREAKER GPS * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER INST * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER INSTLTS * |
Bool | ||
Bool | |||
BREAKER NAVCOM1 |
Bool | ||
BREAKER NAVCOM2 |
Bool | ||
BREAKER NAVCOM3 |
Bool | ||
BREAKER NAVCOM4 |
Bool | ||
BREAKER TURNCOORD * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER WARN * |
Bool | ||
BREAKER XPNDR * |
Bool |
Circuits
Is electrical power available the signal inside the plane to indicate we are not yet ready to carry on with the activity (skydive, airdrop...)
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT EXISTS:name |
This can be used to find out if any circuit of the given type is present in the aircraft electrical system. Unlike other SimVars in this section, the index here is not a specific circuit, but rather the index of the circuit type as listed here: Circuit Types | Bool | |
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AMPS:name |
This indicates the load being consumed (in amps) by the named (or indexed) Circuit. | Amps | |
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT VOLTAGE:name |
This indicates the tension intake (in volts) by the named (or indexed) Circuit. | Volts | |
CIRCUIT AUTOPILOT ON |
Is electrical power available to this circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT AUTO BRAKES ON |
Is electrical power available to this circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT AUTO FEATHER ON |
Is electrical power available to this circuit. Please see the for more information. |
Bool | |
CIRCUIT AVIONICS ON |
Is electrical power available to the avionics circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT BREAKER PULLED:bus:name |
This will be true if the circuit breaker is pulled. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and a Circuit name (or index). |
Bool | |
CIRCUIT CABIN SIGNAL GO |
Is electrical power available the to signal inside the plane to indicate to carry on with the activity (skydive, airdrop...) or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT CABIN SIGNAL STANDBY |
Is electrical power available the signal inside the plane to indicate to get ready and stand by until we are ready to carry on with the activity (skydive, airdrop...) | Bool | |
CIRCUIT CABIN SIGNAL STOP |
Is electrical power to the signal inside the plane to indicate whether an activity can be performed (skydive, airdrop...) stopped or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT_COM_ON |
Is electrical power available to the COM circuitor not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT CONNECTION ON:bus:name |
This will be |
Bool | |
CIRCUIT ELECTRIC ENGINE ON |
Is electrical power available to the electric engine circuit | Bool | |
CIRCUIT FLAP MOTOR ON |
Is electrical power available to the flap motor circuitor not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT GEAR MOTOR ON |
Is electrical power available to the gear motor circuitor not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT GEAR WARNING ON |
Is electrical power available to gear warning circuitor not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT GENERAL PANEL ON |
Is electrical power available to the general panel circuitor not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT HOIST ON |
Is electrical power available to the hoist circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT HYDRAULIC PUMP ON |
Is electrical power available to the hydraulic pump circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT HYDRAULIC VALVE ON |
Is electrical power available to the hydraulic valve circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT MARKER BEACON ON |
Is electrical power available to the marker beacon circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT NAV ON |
Is electrical power available to the NAV circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT NAVCOM1 ON |
Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM1 circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT NAVCOM2 ON |
Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM2 circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT NAVCOM3 ON |
Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM3 circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT NAVCOM4 ON |
Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM4 circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT ON:name |
This will be true if the given circuit is functioning. Use a Circuit name (or index) when referencing. |
Bool | |
CIRCUIT PITOT HEAT ON |
Is electrical power available to the pitot heat circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT POWER SETTING:name |
This returns the percentage of use that the circuit is getting. This requires a Circuit name (or index) when referencing. | Percent | |
CIRCUIT PROP SYNC ON |
Is electrical power available to the propeller sync circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT ROTOR BRAKE ON |
Is electrical power available to the rotor braking circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT SLING ON |
Is electrical power available to the sling circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT STALL WARNING ON |
Is electrical power available to stall warning circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT STANDBY VACUUM ON |
Is electrical power available to the vacuum circuit or not. | Bool | |
CIRCUIT SWITCH ON:name |
The circuit switch position, true if the switch is ON. Use a Circuit name (or index) when referencing. |
Bool | |
CIRCUIT TRANSPONDER ON |
Is electrical power available to the transponder or not. | Bool |
Generators
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
ELECTRICAL GENERATOR ACTIVE:name |
This indicates whether or not the named (or indexed) Generator is outputing tension. | Bool | |
ELECTRICAL GENERATOR AMPS:name |
This indicates the load being drawn (in amps) by the named (or indexed) Generator. | Amps | |
ELECTRICAL GENERATOR VOLTAGE:name |
This indicates the tension output (in volts) by the named (or indexed) Generator. | Volts | |
ELECTRICAL GENERATOR SWITCH:name |
This can be used to either retrieve whether the named (or indexed) Generator is currently switched on or not, or it can be used set whether the generator is on or off. | Bool |
External Power
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER AMPS:name |
This indicates the load being drawn (in amps) by the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source. | Amps | |
ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER VOLTAGE:name |
This indicates the tension output (in volts) by the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source. | Volts | |
EXTERNAL POWER AVAILABLE:name |
This will be true if the the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source is available. |
Bool | |
EXTERNAL POWER BREAKER PULLED:name |
The state of the breaker of the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source. | Bool | |
EXTERNAL POWER CONNECTION ON:name |
The state of the connection between a bus and the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source. | Bool | |
EXTERNAL POWER ON:name |
The named (or indexed) ExternalPower source switch position, true if the switch is ON. |
Bool |
Lines
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
ELECTRICAL LINE CONNECTION ON:name |
The current status of the named (or indexed) Line connection, either 1 (TRUE) for on, or 0 (FALSE) for off. | Bool | |
ELECTRICAL LINE BREAKER PULLED:name |
Bool | ||
LINE CONNECTION ON:name |
The current status of the named (or indexed) Line connection, either 1 (TRUE) for on, or 0 (FALSE) for off. | Bool | |
LINE BREAKER PULLED:name |
The current status of the named (or indexed) Line breaker, either 1 (TRUE) for pulled, or 0 (FALSE) for not pulled. | Bool |
Alternators
IMPORTANT! These SimVars are only useful when working with the v1.00 electrical system. See here for more information: LEGACY: systems.cfg - [ELECTRICAL]
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
ALTERNATOR BREAKER PULLED |
This will be true if the alternator breaker is pulled. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and an alternator index. |
Bool | |
ALTERNATOR CONNECTION ON |
This will be true if the alternator is connected. Requires a BUS LOOKUP INDEX and an alternator index. |
Bool | |
GENERAL ENG MASTER ALTERNATOR:index |
The alternator (generator) switch position, true if the switch is ON. Requires an engine index, and the use of an alternator index when referencing. |
Bool |
APU
IMPORTANT! These SimVars are only useful when working with the v1.00 electrical system. See here for more information: LEGACY: systems.cfg - [ELECTRICAL]
Simulation Variable | Description | Units | Settable |
---|---|---|---|
APU BLEED PRESSURE RECEIVED BY ENGINE |
Bleed air pressure received by the engine from the APU. | Pounds per square inch (psi) | |
APU GENERATOR ACTIVE:index |
Set or get whether an APU is active (true) or not (false). Takes an index to be able to have multiple generators on a single APU. | Bool | |
APU GENERATOR SWITCH:index |
Enables or disables the APU for an engine. Takes an index to be able to have multiple generators on a single APU |
Bool | |
APU ON FIRE DETECTED |
Will return true if the APU is on fire, or false otherwise. | Bool | |
APU PCT RPM |
Auxiliary power unit RPM, as a percentage | Percent Over 100 | |
APU PCT STARTER |
Auxiliary power unit starter, as a percentage | Percent Over 100 | |
APU SWITCH |
Boolean, whether or not the APU is switched on. | Bool | |
APU VOLTS:index |
The volts from the APU to the selected engine. Takes an index to be able to have multiple generators on a single APU. |
Volts | |
BLEED AIR APU |
Boolean, returns whether or not the APU attempts to provide Bleed Air. | Bool |