Advanced Electrical System (AES)

A description is given of the Advanced Electrical System (AES), a fully redundant, integrated distributed power control network consisting of remotely controlled solid-state power contactors (SSPCs), a multiprocessor-based power bus management system, microprocessor based remote terminals (RTs), a control display unit (CDU), and a MIL-STD-1553B avionics interface bus. The purpose of the system is to control and provide the operator with a status of all AC and DC powered electrical loads located through the aircraft. High load current power bus fault sensing is achieved by digitally controlled, monitored, Smart power contractors. Load fault sensing is achieved by digitally controlled, monitored, smart relays and SSPCs. Power control, bus configuration, and fault-detection isolation signals are reported under the control of the microprocessor-based system in accordance with MIL-C-81883B. The AES is redundant (FAIL-OP, FAIL-SAFE) for mission critical systems