Aircraft electrical systems - coping with harmonics for changing power demands

Future electrical loads and increasing load trends will eventually exceed generating capacities of existing Electrical Power Systems (EPS) designs in fast jet aircraft. Space constraints, weight constraints and aerodynamic implications means simply up scaling generator size is impractical. The future addition of avionics, pilot interfaces, sensor system upgrades such as radar and the shift to the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) will contribute to the inevitable rise. This situation drives the need to increase existing electrical efficiencies or improve the design of the EPS. This paper looks into the efficiency issues from the perspective of on board power quality in conjunction with harmonics. The context of investigation is; existing fast jet EPS that utilise constant frequency AC primary electrical power achieved through constant speed drive. A literature review and modelling of nonlinear loads of such aircraft EPS allow understanding and aid investigation.