Modular Electrical System Information

The electrical system, like many other complex aircraft system, is designed in a modular way, such that you have multiple components which are connected by lines to create the final system. The different components available are as follows:

• Circuit: This is used to define the various electrical circuits of the aircraft.
• Battery: This defines one or more batteries to be used in the electrical system.
• ExternalPower: This is used to define one or more external power sources that form a part of the electrical system.
• Generator: This is used to define an aircraft generator as part of the system.
• Bus: This defines an electrical bus for the system, which permits multiple lines to be connected to it, and to other components.
• Relay: This defines a relay which can be used to connect/disconnect another component depending on whether the relay is powered/unpowered.

To help with the configuration of the components you have configuration items:

• Supplier: This defines the attributes of a source supplier of power, either AC, DC, or a Battery.
• Consumer: This can be used to define the attributes of power consumer (Battery or Custom).
• Curve: This is defined as a list of paired values that can be used by other components.

Finally you have the connection components:

• Line: A line is used to connect two components based on the assigned connection attributes. Each component can only have one line connection, unless it is a Bus, which can have more.
• Connection: A connection defines the behaviour of electricity when passed through a line.
• Breaker: A breaker is used to protect components from current overflow, and is used as part of the definition of a Connection.
• Transformer: A transformer modifies the output voltage, and is used as part of the definition of a Connection.
• Diode: A diode is used to direct the flow of electricity in a single direction along the line, and is used as part of the definition of a Connection.

It should be noted that there are some parameters that can be set in the FLT file to initialise the electrical system to specific values for a flight or a mission. You can find more information here:

• [Electrical.N]

circuit.N#

Circuits are the most used electrical components, and when defining a circuit the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The circuit hash map is comprised of the following multiple key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

circuit.N = Name:<name_string> #Type:<circuit_type> #ConsumerCfg:<consumer_id> #WearAndTearCollision:<damage_profile_name1>,<damage_profile_name2>,<etc...>

A full example of a single circuit definition would be like this:

circuit.1 = Name:General_Panel_Main #Type:CIRCUIT_GENERAL_PANEL #ConsumerConfig:ConsumerBatteryA #WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingLight

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT EXISTS
• ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AMPS
• ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT VOLTAGE
• CIRCUIT BREAKER PULLED
• CIRCUIT CONNECTION ON
• CIRCUIT ON
• CIRCUIT POWER SETTING
• CIRCUIT_SWITCH_ON

battery.N#

A battery is a power supplier with a set capacity that decreases over time depending on the load it must sustain, and it will also drop voltage when a heavy load is drawn from it. Within the simulation the actual discharge rate of the battery is calculated in real time from all the circuits that draw load from it, which permits the simulation to correctly model the voltage output. Batteries are also charge rate limited based on the ChargeCRate parameter in the Consumer configuration, and note too that you cannot define the cell count for batteries, as this is also calculated automatically based on the battery voltage and its type.

When defining a battery, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The battery hash map is comprised of a set of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol and takes the following form:

battery.N = Name:<name_string> #SupplierCfg:<supplier_id> #ConsumerCfg:<consumer_id> #WearAndTearCollision:<damage_profile_name1>,<damage_profile_name2>,<etc...>

A full example of a single battery definition would be like this:

battery.1 = Name:Main_Battery #SupplierCfg:SupplierBatteryA #ConsumerCfg:ConsumerBatteryB #WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingLight

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• BATTERY BREAKER PULLED
• BATTERY CONNECTION ON
• ELECTRICAL BATTERY ESTIMATED CAPACITY PCT
• ELECTRICAL BATTERY LOAD
• ELECTRICAL BATTERY VOLTAGE
• ELECTRICAL MASTER BATTERY

externalpower.N#

An external power source is a power supplier with a constant and infinite power output, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The external power hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and takes the following form:

externalpower.N = Name:<name_string> #SupplierCfg:<supplier_id>

A full example of a single external power source definition would be like this:

externalpower.1 = Name:EP_Source_1 #SupplierCfg:EPConfigA

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER AMPS
• ELECTRICAL EXTERNAL POWER VOLTAGE
• EXTERNAL POWER AVAILABLE
• EXTERNAL POWER BREAKER PULLED
• EXTERNAL POWER CONNECTION ON
• EXTERNAL POWER ON

generator.N#

A generator is an internal aircraft component for creating electricity, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The generator hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and takes the following form:

generator.N = Name:<name_string> #SupplierCfg:<supplier_id> #WearAndTearCollision:<damage_profile_name1>,<damage_profile_name2>,<etc...>

A full example of a single generator definition would be like this:

generator.1 = Name:MainGen #SupplierCfg:SupplierAC #WearAndTearCollision:LeftWingLight

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• ELECTRICAL GENERATOR ACTIVE
• ELECTRICAL GENERATOR AMPS
• ELECTRICAL GENERATOR VOLTAGE
• ELECTRICAL GENERATOR SWITCH

bus.N#

A bus is a hub for connecting different components (and other buses) to each other, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The bus hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and takes the following form:

bus.N = Name:<name_string>

A full example of a single bus definition would be like this:

bus.3 = Name:Main_Bus

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• BUS BREAKER PULLED
• BUS CONNECTION ON
• ELECTRICAL BUS AMPS
• ELECTRICAL BUS VOLTAGE

relay.N#

A relay is a component that requires a line to work, and is connected to another line (which can be anywhere in the system). It is used to connect/disconnect the given line, thus powering/unpowering the components using the line. Multiple relays can be defined, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The relay hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and takes the following form:

relay.N = Name:<name_string> #ManagedLine:<line_name> #Resistance:<resistance_ohm> #TensionThreshold:<volts> #DisconnectWhenPowered:<bool>

A full example of a single relay definition would be like this:

relay.3 = Name:relay_sensor #ManagedLine:line_1

supplier.N#

A supplier is a hash map used to define the attributes of an electricity supply source. Suppliers are not used on their own, and are instead used within other component hash-maps (like the battery.N or generator.N maps) as a method of defining certain properties once so they can be re-used in multiple components.

You may create multiple suppliers, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The supplier hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and the contents of the map will depend on the type of supplier, which can be AC, DC or a battery. Regardless of type, the table below shows parameters for the map that can be present for all types:

AC#

For an AC supplier you can have the following additional parameters in the supplier hash map:

The following example is a supplier setup to mimic a standard 115V, 45kVA, 3 phase, AC generator:

supplier.1 = Name:GenSupply #SType:AC #Vrms:115 #Phase:Three #PowerRating:45 #PowerFactor:0.95 #GovernedRPM:[data.simvar(GENERAL ENG RPM:1, rpm)]

DC#

For a DC supplier you can have the following additional parameters in the supplier hash map:

The following example is a supplier setup as a custom DC generator:

supplier.1 = Name:GenSupply #SType:DC #Voltage:14

Battery#

For a battery supplier you can have the following additional parameters in the supplier hash map:

The following example is a supplier setup as a custom battery:

supplier.1 = Name:GenSupply #SType:Battery #BatteryType:LithiumIon

consumer.N#

A consumer is a hash map used to define the electrical consumption attributes of a component. Consumers are not used on their own, and are instead used within other component hash-maps (like the battery.N or circuit.N maps) as a method of defining certain properties once so they can be re-used in multiple components.

You may create multiple consumers, and the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The consumer hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and the contents of the map will depend on the type of consumer, which can be battery or custom. Regardless of type, the table below shows parameters for the map that can be present for both types:

Circuits#

For circuits, the hashmap can contain the following additional parameter:

Custom And Battery#

For custom consumers and batteries you can have the following additional parameters in the consumer hash map:

Some things to note about these parameters when the CType is “Custom”:

• If you include Resistance then you cannot include the ResistanceMin and ResistanceMax parameters, and vice-versa.

• When using ResistanceMin and ResistanceMax the actual resistance will be based on the value of the selected power factor. This is intended to be used by circuits whose resistance can be tweaked using a potentiometer.

• You must include at least two parameters which can be any combination of Amperage, Voltage, Wattage, or Resistance (or the combination of ResistanceMin and ResistanceMax).

The following example is of a custom consumer setup:

consumer.2 = Name:ConsumerCircuitA #Voltage:12 #Wattage:5

Battery#

For a battery consumer you can have the following additional parameters in the consumer hash map as well as those listed above:

The following example is a consumer setup for a battery:

consumer.1 = Name:ConsumerBatteryA #CType:Battery #Capacity:48 #Voltage:24 #Wattage:250

curve.N#

The curve parameter is defined as a list of paired values, and the parameter is appended with a number that corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1). The exact number of paired values that are in the curve will depend on the use the curve is going to get, since curves are used by other parameters to store information.

The curve hash map is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol, and the table below shows the parameters for the map that can be present:

line.N#

A line is used to connect 2 components together.

When defining a line, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1), and the hash map it contains is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

line.N = Name:<name_string> #Components:<component1>, <Component2> #Connection:<connection_id>(component, component)

There are a few different ways that lines can be defined depending on your system setup. These are as follows:

• Line definition using an existing connection:

  line.1 = Name:LineA #Connection:ConDiode(BusA,CircuitA)

• Line definition connecting the elements directly in its definition:

  line.2 = Name:LineB #Connection:BusA,Circuit

• Line definition with connection and components directly in its definition:

  line.3 = Name:LineC #Components:DiodeA,BreakerA #Connection:BusA,CircuitC

The following SimVars are available for this component:

• LINE CONNECTION ON
• LINE BREAKER PULLED

connection.N#

A connection is used by the Line component to set up certain properties for the line. When defining a connection, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1), and the hash map it contains is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

connection.N = Name:<name_string> #Components:<component>,<component>,<etc>

A full example of a single connection definition would be like this:

connection.2 = Name:ConWithBreaker_2 #Components:Breaker_2

breaker.N#

A breaker is used by the Connection component and is used to interrupt the flow of current when there is an overload or short-circuit on the line. When defining a breaker, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1), and the hash map it contains is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

breaker.N = Name:<name_string> #RatedCurrent:<value> #TripCurveType:<trip_curve_constant>

A full example of a single breaker definition would be like this:

breaker.1 = Name:Breaker_2 #RatedCurrent:2 #TripCurveType:IEEE_Vinv

transformer.N#

A transformer is used by the Connection component to modify the output voltage of the line. When defining a transformer, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1), and the hash map it contains is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

transformer.N = Name:<name_string> #TargetVoltage:<voltage>

A full example of a single transformer definition would be like this:

transformer.1 = Name:transformer_400 #TargetVoltage:200

diode.N#

A diode is used by the Connection component to direct the flow of electricity in a single direction along the line. The direction that is permitted will depend on the order in which the components are given in the Line using the connection. When defining a diode, the appended number corresponds to its unique ID (N, starting at 1), and the hash map it contains is comprised of key:value pairs, separated by the # symbol. This hash map takes the following form:

diode.N = Name:<name_string> #ForwardVoltage:<voltage> #ReverseVoltage:<voltage>

A full example of a single diode definition would be like this:

diode.5 = Name:diode_bus #ForwardVoltage:5