Aircraft Electrics Variables

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

This section contains the SimVars related to the electrical buses and the electrical system in general. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE:'Bus_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable	Parameters	Description	Units
`BUS LOOKUP INDEX`	N/A	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: `2 (>A:BUS LOOKUP INDEX, Number) (A:CIRCUIT CONNECTION ON:45, Bool)` It should be notes that when `BUS LOOKUP INDEX` is not set (ie: it is 0) then TRUE will be returned if *any* of your bus connections are on.	-
`BUS BREAKER PULLED`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Bus Name	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`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Bus Name	This will be `true` if the bus is connected. Requires a `BUS LOOKUP INDEX` and a Bus name (or index).	Bool
`ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS`	[0] Bus Name	Retrieve the amperage of the named (or indexed) Bus.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE`	[0] Bus Name	Retrieve the voltage of the named (or indexed) Bus.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL TOTAL LOAD AMPS`	N/A	Total load amps	Amperes
`NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM`	N/A	Is the aircraft using the new Electrical System or the legacy FSX one.	Bool
`ELECTRICAL AVIONICS BUS AMPS`	N/A	Avionics bus current Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS`.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL AVIONICS BUS VOLTAGE`	N/A	Avionics bus voltage Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE`.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL BATTERY BUS AMPS`	N/A	Battery bus current Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS`.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL BATTERY BUS VOLTAGE`	N/A	Battery bus voltage Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE`.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL GENALT LOAD`	N/A	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`	N/A	The load handled by the alternator. This requires an alternator index when referencing. Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS`.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL GENALT BUS VOLTAGE`	N/A	General alternator voltage. This requires an alternator index when referencing. Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE`.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL MAIN BUS AMPS`	N/A	Main main named (or indexed) Bus current. Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS`.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL MAIN BUS VOLTAGE`	N/A	The main named (or indexed) Bus voltage. Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE`.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL OLD CHARGING AMPS`	N/A	Obsolete, do not use! Use `ELECTRICAL BATTERY LOAD`.	Amps

Batteries

This section contains the SimVars related to the electrical system batteries. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:ELECTRICAL BATTERY VOLTAGE:'Battery_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable		Description	Units
`BATTERY BREAKER PULLED`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Battery Name	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`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Battery Name	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`	[0] Battery Name	The given Battery capacity over max capacity, 100 is full.	Percent
`ELECTRICAL BATTERY LOAD`	[0] Battery Name [1] Load	The load handled by the named (or indexed) Battery, where negative values mean the battery is receiving current.	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL BATTERY VOLTAGE`	[0] Battery Name [1] Voltage	The named (or indexed) Battery voltage.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL HOT BATTERY BUS AMPS`	[0] Battery Name [1] Amperes	Current available when the battery switch is turned off	Amperes
`ELECTRICAL HOT BATTERY BUS VOLTAGE`	[0] Battery Name [1] Voltage	Voltage available when the battery switch is turned off	Volts
`ELECTRICAL MASTER BATTERY`	[0] Battery Name [1] True / False	The named (or indexed) Battery switch position, `true` if the switch is ON.	Bool

Breakers

Simulation Variable	Description	Units
`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. * these are Convenience SimVars	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
`BREAKER LTS PWR`*		Bool
`BREAKER NAVCOM1`		Bool
`BREAKER NAVCOM2`		Bool
`BREAKER NAVCOM3`		Bool
`BREAKER NAVCOM4`		Bool
`BREAKER TURNCOORD`*		Bool
`BREAKER WARN`*		Bool
`BREAKER XPNDR`*		Bool

Circuits

This section contains the SimVars related to the electrical circuits. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT VOLTAGE:'Circuit_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable		Description	Units
`ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT EXISTS`	[0] Circuit Type	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`	[0] Circuit Name	This indicates the load being consumed (in amps) by the named (or indexed) Circuit.	Amps
`ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT VOLTAGE`	[0] Circuit Name	This indicates the tension intake (in volts) by the named (or indexed) Circuit.	Volts
`CIRCUIT AUTOPILOT ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to this circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT AUTO BRAKES ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to this circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT AUTO FEATHER ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to this circuit. Please see the for more information.	Bool
`CIRCUIT AVIONICS ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the avionics circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT BREAKER PULLED:bus`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Circuit 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`	N/A	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`	N/A	Is electrical power available to 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`	N/A	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`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the COM circuitor not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT CONNECTION ON:bus`	[0] Lookup Index [1] Circuit Name	This will be `true` if the circuit is connected. Requires a `BUS LOOKUP INDEX` and a Circuit name (or index).	Bool
`CIRCUIT ELECTRIC ENGINE ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the electric engine circuit	Bool
`CIRCUIT FLAP MOTOR ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the flap motor circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT GEAR MOTOR ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the gear motor circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT GEAR WARNING ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to gear warning circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT GENERAL PANEL ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the general panel circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT HOIST ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the hoist circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT HYDRAULIC PUMP ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the hydraulic pump circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT HYDRAULIC VALVE ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the hydraulic valve circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT MARKER BEACON ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the marker beacon circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT NAV ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the NAV circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT NAVCOM1 ON`	N/A	Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM1 circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT NAVCOM2 ON`	N/A	Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM2 circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT NAVCOM3 ON`	N/A	Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM3 circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT NAVCOM4 ON`	N/A	Whether or not power is available to the NAVCOM4 circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT ON`	[0] Circuit Name	This will be `true` if the given circuit is functioning. Use a Circuit name (or index) when referencing.	Bool
`CIRCUIT PITOT HEAT ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the pitot heat circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT POWER SETTING`	[0] Circuit 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`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the propeller sync circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT ROTOR BRAKE ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the rotor braking circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT SLING ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the sling circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT STALL WARNING ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to stall warning circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT STANDBY VACUUM ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the vacuum circuit or not.	Bool
`CIRCUIT SWITCH ON`	[0] Circuit Name	The circuit switch position, `true` if the switch is ON. Use a Circuit name (or index) when referencing.	Bool
`CIRCUIT TRANSPONDER ON`	N/A	Is electrical power available to the transponder or not.	Bool

Generators

This section contains the SimVars related to the electrical generators. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:ELECTRICAL GENERATOR VOLTAGE:'Gen_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable	Parameters	Description	Units
`ELECTRICAL GENERATOR ACTIVE`	[0] Generator Name	This indicates whether or not the named (or indexed) Generator is outputting tension.	Bool
`ELECTRICAL GENERATOR AMPS`	[0] Generator Name	This indicates the load being drawn (in amps) by the named (or indexed) Generator.	Amps
`ELECTRICAL GENERATOR VOLTAGE`	[0] Generator Name	This indicates the tension output (in volts) by the named (or indexed) Generator.	Volts
`ELECTRICAL GENERATOR SWITCH`	[0] Generator Name [1] True / False	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

This section contains the SimVars related to the external power sources. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER VOLTAGE:'Power_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable	Parameters	Description	Units
`ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER AMPS`	[0] External Power Source Name	This indicates the load being drawn (in amps) by the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source.	Amps
`ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER VOLTAGE`	[0] External Power Source Name	This indicates the tension output (in volts) by the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source.	Volts
`EXTERNAL POWER AVAILABLE`	[0] External Power Source Name	This will be `true` if the the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source is available.	Bool
`EXTERNAL POWER BREAKER PULLED`	[0] External Power Source Name [1] True / False	The state of the breaker of the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source.	Bool
`EXTERNAL POWER CONNECTION ON`	[0] External Power Source Name	The state of the connection between a bus and the named (or indexed) ExternalPower source.	Bool
`EXTERNAL POWER ON`	[0] External Power Source Name	The named (or indexed) ExternalPower source switch position, `true` if the switch is ON.	Bool

Lines

This section contains the SimVars related to the power lines in the electrical system. Note that many of them will require the name of the component that they target. This name is given using the following format:

[SimVar]:'[COMPONENT_NAME]'_n

For example:

(A:LINE CONNECTION ON:'Line_1'_n, Volts)

Simulation Variable Parameters Description Units Settable

Simulation Variable	Parameters	Description	Units	Settable
`LINE CONNECTION ON`	[0] Line Name [1] True / False	The current status of the named (or indexed) Line connection, either 1 (TRUE) for on, or 0 (FALSE) for off.	Bool
`LINE BREAKER PULLED`	[0] Line Name [1] True / False	The current status of the named (or indexed) Line breaker, either 1 (TRUE) for pulled, or 0 (FALSE) for not pulled.	Bool

LINE CONNECTION ON

[0] Line Name

[1] True / False

The current status of the named (or indexed) Line connection, either 1 (TRUE) for on, or 0 (FALSE) for off.

Bool

LINE BREAKER PULLED

[0] Line Name

[1] True / False

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	Parameters	Description	Units
`ALTERNATOR BREAKER PULLED`	N/A	This will be `true` if the alternator breaker is pulled. Requires a `BUS LOOKUP INDEX` and an alternator index.	Bool
`ALTERNATOR CONNECTION ON`	N/A	This will be `true` if the alternator is connected. Requires a `BUS LOOKUP INDEX` and an alternator index.	Bool
`GENERAL ENG MASTER ALTERNATOR`	[0] 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	Parameters	Description	Units
`APU BLEED PRESSURE RECEIVED BY ENGINE`	[0] Index	Bleed air pressure received by the engine from the APU.	Pounds per square inch (psi)
`APU GENERATOR ACTIVE`	[0] 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`	[0] 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`	N/A	Will return true if the APU is on fire, or false otherwise.	Bool
`APU PCT RPM`	N/A	Auxiliary power unit RPM, as a percentage	Percent Over 100
`APU PCT STARTER`	N/A	Auxiliary power unit starter, as a percentage	Percent Over 100
`APU SWITCH`	[0] True / False	Boolean, whether or not the APU is switched on.	Bool
`APU VOLTS`	N/A	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`	N/A	Boolean, returns whether or not the APU attempts to provide Bleed Air.	Bool