On The Ground

The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a self-contained unit that supplies the aircraft with pneumatic and
electrical power
On the ground
‐ It supplies bleed air for starting the engines and for the air conditioning system
‐ It supplies electrical power to the electrical system.
During takeoff
‐ It supplies bleed air for air conditioning
In flight
‐ It backs up the electrical system
‐ It backs up the air conditioning
‐ It can be used to start the engines.
The APU may obtain power for starting from the aircraft's batteries or normal electrical system, or
from ground service.
APU starting is permitted throughout the normal flight envelope
APU ENGINE
The basic element of the APU is a single-shaft gas turbine that delivers mechanical shaft power for
driving the accessory gearbox (electrical generator, starter, etc.) and produces bleed air (engine
starting and pneumatic supply).
ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOX
The Electronic Control Box (ECB) is a full-authority digital electronic controller that performs the bulk
of the APU system logic for all modes of engine operation, such as :
‐ Sequences the start and monitors it.
‐ Monitors speed and temperature.
‐ Monitors bleed air.
‐ Sequences the shutdown.
‐ Controls the automatic shutdown
AIR INTAKE SYSTEM
The air intake and an electrically operated flap allow external air to reach the compressor inlet
STARTER
The ECB controls the electric starter. The starter engages if the air intake is fully open and the
MASTER SW and the START pushbutton are ON.
FUEL SYSTEM
The left fuel feed line supplies the APU.

The required pressure is normally available from tank pumps.
If pressure is not available (batteries only or pumps off) the APU FUEL PUMP starts automatically.
The ECB controls the fuel flow.
OIL SYSTEM
The APU has an integral independent lubrication system (for lubrication and cooling).
INLET GUIDE VANES (IGV)
The IGVs control bleed air flow, and a fuel-pressure-powered actuator positions the IGVs.
The ECB controls the actuator in response to aircraft demand.
AIR BLEED SYSTEM
The air bleed system is fully automatic.

The ECB always sets the APU speed to 100 % except for air conditioning demand, if the ambient
temperature is between -18 °C and 35 °C. In this case, the ECB sets the APU speed to 99 %. For all
other ambient temperatures (less than -18 °C or more than 35 °C), the ECB sets the APU speed to
100 %.
CONTROLS
The flight crew uses the controls on the APU panel for routine shutdown. For emergency shutdown :
‐ the flight crew can push the APU FIRE handle, or
‐ the ground crew can push the APU SHUT OFF pushbutton on the interphone panel under the
nose fuselage
GROUND OPERATION SAFETY DEVICES
In case of fire in the APU compartment :

‐ APU fire warnings operate in the cockpit.
‐ A horn in the nose gear bay sounds.
‐ The AVAIL light goes out.
‐ The FAULT light in the MASTER SW lights up.
‐ The APU shuts down.
‐ The APU fire extinguisher discharges
OVERHEAD PANEL
(1) MASTER SW pb-sw

This switch controls the electric power supply for the operation of the APU and its protective features.
It also controls the starting and shutdown sequences
ON :
The blue ON light comes on.
Electric power goes to the APU system; the ECB performs a power-up test.
The APU air intake flap opens.
The APU fuel isolation valve opens.
If no fuel tank pump is running, the APU fuel pump operates.
If the aircraft has ground power or main generator power, the APU page appears on
the ECAM display.
OFF :
Manual shutdown sequence.

‐ The ON light on the MASTER SW pb-sw, and the AVAIL light on the START pb go
out.
‐ If the aircraft was using APU bleed air, the APU keeps running for a cooling period
of 60 to 120 s.
‐ At 7 % the air inlet flap closes.
FAULT lt :
Depending on version of the ECB, this amber light comes on, and a caution appears
on ECAM, when an automatic APU shutdown occurs,
In the case of an automatic, non-emergency shutdown, the air inlet flap closes 15 min after
the APU speed is lower than 7%. If an automatic, non-emergency shutdown happens on
ground, the 15 min countdown starts after liftoff.
(2) START pb-sw
ON : Blue ON light comes on.

‐ When the flap is completely open, the starter is energized.
‐ 1.5 s after the starter is energized, the ignition turns on.
‐ When N = 60 %. The APU starter is de-energized. The ignition is turned off.
‐ 2 s after N reached 95 %, or when N is above 99.5 %:
The ON light on the START pb goes out.
The APU may now supply bleed air and electrical power to the aircraft systems.
‐ 10 s later, the APU page disappears from the ECAM display.
AVAIL lt : This green light comes on when N is above 99.5 % or 2 s after N reaches 95 %.
ECAM APU PAGE

On The Ground

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The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a self-contained unit that supplies the aircraft with pneumatic and

ELECTRONIC CONTROL BOX

AIR INTAKE SYSTEM

The left fuel feed line supplies the APU.

INLET GUIDE VANES (IGV)

AIR BLEED SYSTEM

The air bleed system is fully automatic.

GROUND OPERATION SAFETY DEVICES

In case of fire in the APU compartment :

(1) MASTER SW pb-sw

Manual shutdown sequence.

(2) START pb-sw

ON : Blue ON light comes on.

ECAM APU PAGE

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