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I know that DC power is essential for avionics and that in medium and big airplanes AC (28 V, 400 Hz) is used with DC (28 V).

Small airplanes have a starter-generator that provides DC, but do they have an inverter too, to provide AC? If yes, then why use AC, and in which systems? And when is AC 26 V used?

Federico
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Gianni Alessandro
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    Related: Why do airplanes use AC electric power? – Farhan Jun 24 '15 at 14:10
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    The single-engine Cessna planes I've been checked out on (172P, 172RG) have no A/C electrical system. – Fred Larson Jun 24 '15 at 16:36
  • As far as I know, all electricity is AC at first. All generators and alternators initially generate AC, which can then be converted to DC. This is because of the rotating motion of the coils or magnets in the generator. – Sami Jun 24 '15 at 19:36
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    @Sami: Yes, but in DC motor and DC generator the conversion is done by commutator directly on the shaft, so there is no AC outside of the motor/generator. – Jan Hudec Jun 24 '15 at 21:39
  • All the light planes that I know of have electrical systems almost identical to automobiles. In fact, the alternator on my 60s-vintage Cherokee said "MoPar" on it. And what on Earth would you use A/C for, anyway? – jamesqf Jul 01 '15 at 18:55
  • The starter generator includes DC power. The aircraft emergency power source is battery. These power sources use the inverter to get AC output. Outputs are 115VAC, 26VAC and the frequency is 400Hz. These inverters are solid state inverters. –  Apr 30 '16 at 06:50
  • Ford/Prestolite in older small Cessnas. Not many generators left, most have alternators now, either designed in or converter over. – CrossRoads Nov 13 '18 at 18:50

2 Answers2

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I have worked on large and small aircraft. You will find a 400hz power bus only on large aircraft. The reason is the greater quantity of poles in the generator and hence weight. Smaller aircraft use a 28v DC system for the avionics.

Mark
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For small airplanes as you said it is used DC generation mainly to feed the battery which provides energy for the starter generator. I do not know of such airplanes having DC generation and the inverter for AC but I know that the ART-42 uses double generation DC and AC as well.

Davide
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