United States Army Aviation Warfighting Center

Fort Rucker, Alabama

UH-60A
STUDENT HANDOUT

UH-60 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PROPONENT FOR THIS STUDENT HANDOUT IS:

110TH AVIATION BRIGADE

FD5: This product/publication has been reviewed by the product developers in coordination with the
USAAWC, Foreign Disclosure Officer, Fort Rucker, AL foreign disclosure authority. This product is
releasable to students from all requesting foreign countries without restrictions.

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TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Ac ti on : Identify system components, operational characteristics, and emergency procedures of the UH-
60 electrical power systems.

Condition: Given an end of stage multiple choice evaluation without reference, a blank answer sheet in
a classroom environment.

Standard: Correctly identify the components and operational characteristics of the Alternating and Direct
Current electrical systems of the UH-60 helicopter IAW TM 1-1520-237-10 and the student handout.

Safety Requirements: Classroom: Use care when operating training aids and/or devices.

Risk Assessment L evel: Low.

Environmental Considerations: It is the responsibility of all soldiers and DA civilians to protect the
environment from damage.

Evaluation: This block of instruction is comprised of one scorable unit consisting of 6 questions from
system evaluations 4749 (A/B), or 4776 (A/B), of which you must correctly answer four.

Learning Step/Activity 1. Identify the operational characteristics of the AC power electrical system.

a. Description-

(1) Alternating current (AC) is the primary source of power. The aircraft AC electrical system consists
of three independent systems, each capable of supplying the total helicopter power requirements. The
prime source of each system is a 115/200 volts alternating current (Vac) main generator.

(2) Each system contains an AC generator, a current transformer, a generator control unit, and
current limiter, all of which are interchangeable

(3) A portion of each AC primary bus load is converted to 28 volts direct current (Vdc) by two 200
ampere converters.

(4) An auxiliary AC power system is a backup AC power source that provides electrical power for
ground checkouts and emergency power for flight.

(5) An electric power priority feature allows either the No. 1 or No. 2 main generator to automatically
supersede the APU generator, which, in turn, automatically supersedes external power

b. Components:

(1) No.1or No.2 Generators (main). (First priority)

(a) Location. The main generators are located on and driven by the transmission accessory
modules, left (1) and right hand (2) side respectively.

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 (b) Description. Each main generator is rated at 30/45 kilo volts ampere (Kva), is brushless, oil
cooled by the transmission lubrication system, and provides three independent phases (A, B, C) of
115/200 Vac, 400 Hz power.

(c) Capabilities. Each main generator has the capability of providing all AC power for the aircraft
if the other generator should fail except the blade de-ice system. If blade de-ice is installed and in use,
two generators must be operational due to the current load (power demand) requirement of blade de-ice.

(d) Associated Cautions: There are two cautions associated with the main generators.

1 #1 GEN and/or #2 GEN. Generator(s) is/are not supplying power to the AC primary busses
(GEN is off or has failed).

2 #1 GEN BRG and/or #2 GEN BRG. The main generator’s primary bearing is worn or has
failed. If the caution stays on longer than one minute, make an entry on the DA Form 2408-13-1. The
auxiliary bearing will allow 10 additional hours of operation after the light goes on.

(e) Generator switches.

1. Location. The main generator control switches are located on the overhead panel.

2. Positions. There are three positions for the main generator control switch.

a. TEST. This position allows you to test the generator AC output with out connecting it
to the generator’s load. If the #1 GEN or #2 GEN cautions goes out when you go to the TEST position the
generator is working within its parameter.

b. OFF/RESET. Takes the generator off line and resets the logic module inside the
GCU.

c. ON. Allows 3 phase, 115 volts, 400 Hz of power to energize the electrical busses.

(2) APU Generator (Second priority).

(a) Location. The APU generator is located on the front of the APU.

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 (b). Description. The APU generator is a 3 phase, 115 Vac, 400 Hz, air cooled, brushless
generator rated at 20/30 kva.

(c) Purpose. The APU generator provides AC power for ground operation and back-up
emergency AC power for flight.

(d) Capabilities. The APU generator can provide power to all equipment on board the aircraft
with two exceptions:

1. If the backup pump and the windshield anti-ice are on line at the same time, you will lose
the windshield anti-ice because the APU generator can not power both systems at the same time, due to
the current load (power demand) requirements of each system. The backup pump has priority.

2. If blade de-ice is installed and in use, two generators must be on and operational due to
the current load (power demand) requirement of the blade de-ice system.

(e) APU Generator control switch.

1. Location. The APU generator control switch is located on the overhead panel.

2. Positions. There are three positions for the APU generator control switch.

a. TEST. This position allows you to test the generator AC output with out connecting it
to the generator’s load. If the APU GEN ON advisory light illuminates when you go to the TEST position
the generator is working within its parameter.

b. OFF/RESET. Takes the generator off line and resets the logic module inside the
GCU.

c. ON. Allows 3 phase, 115 volts, 400 Hz of power to energize the AC electrical busses.

(f) Associated Advisory: APU GEN ON. Advises you that the APU generator output is acceptable
and being supplied to the AC busses. When the “APU GEN ON” advisory is illuminated, both main
generators are not operational and the APU generator is the sole source of AC power.

(3) Generator Control Unit (GCU)

(a). Purpose: There are three GCUs mounted in the forward cabin ceiling which monitor voltage
from the No. 1, No. 2, and APU generators thru current transformers and disconnect the generator(s)
from the AC system (off-line) when malfunctions occur.

(b) Functions: The GCU receivers signal from the current transformers to provide:

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 1. Over voltage protection- The GCU will discontinue generator output when any of the three
phases of power is between 124-126 Vac or greater.

2. Under voltage protection- The GCU will discontinue generator output when any of the
three phases of power is less than 95-105 Vac for more than 1 second.

3. Under frequency protection- The GCU will discontinue generator output when on the
ground (WOW switch) and %RPMR is at 93%-95% or less and generator frequency is 370-380 HZ or
less for more than1-3 seconds.

4. Feeder Fault- The GCU will discontinue generator output when an excessive current
differential (short) is detected between A, B, and C phases of power.

(4) Generator contact relays are used to connect generators in and out of the AC system.

(5) Buses (AC only).

(a) #1 AC Primary Bus is normally powered by the #1 generator.

(b) #2 AC Primary Bus is normally powered by the #2 generator.

(c) AC Essential Bus is normally powered by “B” phase, 115 volts, 400 Hz from the #1 AC
Primary Bus. The AC Essential Bus can get power from the #2 AC Primary Bus should you lose “B”
phase from the #1 AC Primary Bus.

(6) Current limiters.

(a) Location. There are six current limiters in the AC supply system which are rated at 60 AMPS
and are located in the junction boxes in the overhead cabin area.

CURRENT LIMITERS

(b) Purpose. Provide protection to circuits in the event of excessive amperage or draw.

(c) Operation. Works like a fuse, excessive amperage melts the metal and opens the circuit that
goes across the current limiter.

(7) External power (Third priority).

(a) Location. The external power receptacle is located on the right side of the fuselage under the
crew chief’s window.

(b) Description. The receptacle has six prongs. Three of the large prongs are for the three phase
positive power, the remaining large prong is negative (Ground). The two small prongs are for the advisory
on the Master Caution Panel. (EXT PWR CONNECTED).

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 (c) Advisory light. “EXT PWR CONNECTED” Advises you have external power connected
(cable inserted).

(8) External power switch (Three position).

a. RESET. Resets the logic module inside the External Power Monitor Panel.

b. OFF. Stops any power from coming into the aircraft via the External Power Monitor Panel.

c. ON. Allows three phase, 115 volts (AC), 400 Hz of power into the aircraft via the External
Power Monitor Panel.

(9) External Power Monitor Panel.

a. Location. The external power monitor panel is located over the right gunner station. (crew
chief’s station)

b. Purpose. This panel monitors for correct phase rotation (A, B, C in order), over and under
voltage protection, over and under frequency (HZ) protection. Once the cable from the external power
source is plugged into the external power receptacle and the external power switch is moved to the “ON”
position, 3 phase, 115 volts, 400 Hz of power will be introduced into the system if acceptable external
power is connected

Note: If the aircraft does not receive AC power once the external power switch is in the ON position,
move the switch to RESET then ON, (resetting the external power monitor panel).

Learning Step/Activity 2. Identify the components and operational characteristics of the DC electrical
system.

a. Direct Current (DC) Power Supply system. The primary DC power is from two converters
(transformer-rectifiers), with the secondary DC power source is from the battery. There is no external DC
power connector.

b. Components:

(1) Battery— Supplies 24 Vdc to the battery utility bus, battery bus, and the DC essential bus when
there is no DC power from the #1 or #2 DC primary busses and the batt switch is in the "on" position.
The battery can be either a Nickel Cadmium (NICAD) or Sealed Lead Acid Battery (SLAB).

(a) Description. NICAD - 24 Vdc, 5.5 amp hours with 20 cells, (19 battery cells and 1 sensing
cell). SLAB - 24 Vdc, 9.5 amp hours.

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 (b) Purpose. To provide a secondary or emergency source of DC power during run-up or for
flight emergencies..

(c) Operation times when the battery is the only source of DC power.

1. Day. NICAD - 22 minutes, SLAB - 38 minutes (at 80% capacity).

2. Night. NICAD - 14 minutes, SLAB - 24 minutes (at 80% capacity).

(2) If the battery is the sole source of DC power, the three DC busses that are energized are:

(a) Battery Utility Bus. Hot when the battery is connected.

(b) Battery Bus. Hot when the battery is connected and the battery switch is in the ON position.

(c) DC Essential Bus. Hot when the battery is connected, the switch is in the ON position and
the battery bus is energized.

(3) Associated Cautions.

(a) #1 CONV and #2 CONV. This caution illuminates when either one or both converter(s) is/are
not working.

(b) DC ESS BUS OFF. Caution indicates that no power is being supplied to the DC essential
bus and is illuminated when the NICAD battery is at or below approximately 35% state of charge.

(c) BATT LOW CHARGE.

1. For a SLAB battery it indicates that the voltage on the battery utility bus is at or below 23
Vdc

2. For a NICAD battery it indicates that the battery charge state is at or below about 40% of
full charge state.

(d) BATTERY FAULT (NICAD battery only). This caution indicates that the battery has
exceeded the safe operating temperature of 70° C (over temperature), or a battery cell dissimilarity exists.

(4) Charger/analyzer (NICAD battery on ly).

(a) Provides a constant charge to the battery when the #2 AC primary and #2 DC primary
busses are energized.

(b) Analyzes the battery, controls the BATT L OW CHARGE and the BATTERY FAULT
cautions, and disengages the DC essential bus when the battery capacity drops below 35%.

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 (5) Battery Low Sensing Relay (SLAB only).

(a) On helicopters equipped with the sealed lead acid battery (SLAB) the system charges the
battery through the battery charging relay with one or both converters on.

(b) Illuminates the BATT L OW CHARGE caution when the voltage on the battery utility bus drops
below 23 Vdc.

(6). Converter system (primary DC power source).

(a) Two 200-ampere converters, each powered by the No. 1 and No. 2 AC primary buses
respectively, turn AC power into DC power and reduce it to 28 volts. The converter output is applied to
the No. 1 and No. 2 DC primary buses whenever AC power is applied to the AC primary buses.

(b) Associated Cautions s. #1 CONV and /or #2 CONV. If one or more cautions are illuminated,
either one or both converter(s) is/are not working.

Note: If you have both #1 CONV and #2 CONV cautions illuminated, you lose converted DC power to
the #1 and #2 DC Primary Busses.

(c) Busses powered by the converters. (AC power available)

1. #1 DC primary bus is normally powered by the #1 converter.

2. #2 DC primary bus is normally powered by the #2 converter.

3. DC Essential bus is normally powered by the #1 DC primary bus. If a short should

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occur in the #1 DC primary bus, the DC essential bus will get power from the #2 DC primary bus.

4. Battery bus is normally powered by the DC Essential bus.

(7) Current limiter- One 100 amp current limiter is located between the #1 and #2 DC primary
busses, provides circuit protection in the event of excessive amperage draw. This excessive amperage
melts the metal and opens the electrical path between the two DC primary buses.

Learning Step/Activity 3. Identify which cautions are illuminated and which DC buses are energized
when starting the APU during run-up.

a. Battery power for starting APU.

(1) Battery switch on. Note the following cautions on.

(a) #1 CONV and #2 CONV. At this point you have no AC power being converted to DC power.
Also both of your DC primary buses are off line, because the DC primary buses receive power to operate
from the converter(s).

(b) AC ESS BUS OFF. Since “B” phase of both AC primary buses are cold, the AC essential
bus can not be energized.

(c) BOOST SERVO OFF. No hydraulic pressure to the collective and yaw boost servos.

(d) STABILATOR (and audio). The Stabilator is in the manual mode due to loss of electrical
power to the stabilator amplifiers.

(e) SAS OFF. No hydraulic pressure to the pitch, roll, yaw SAS actuators, and the pitch boost
servo.

(2) DC electrical buses energized.

(a) BATTERY UTILITY BUS (BUB). The BUB is energized as soon as the battery’s electrical
connector is connected.

(b) BATTERY BUS (BATT BUS). The BATT BUS is energized once the battery is connected
and the battery switch is placed in the ON position.

(c) DC ESSENTIAL BUS (DC ESS BUS). The DC ESS BUS is energized as soon as the BATT
BUS gets it power, as long as the battery is above 35% state of charge (NICAD only).

Note: The BATT LOW CHARGE caution illuminates when the battery charge is at or below
approximately 40+5% capacity (NICAD), and 23 Volts (SLAB).

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Learning Step/Activity 4. Analysis malfunctions in the UH-60 electrical system and discuss emergency
procedures.

Note: For all malfunctions that apply to the electrical system refer to TM 1-1520-237-10 chapter 9:

a. Section 9.26 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

(1) #1 and #2 Generator Failures

(2) #1 or #2 GEN Caution Appears

(3) #1 and #2 CONV Cautions Appear

(4) BATTERY FAULT Caution Appears

(5) BATTERY FAULT Caution Appears

(6) BATT LOW CHARGE Caution Appears

b. Section 9.22 ROTORS, TRANSMISSIONS, AND DRIVE TRAIN

MAIN XMSN OIL PRESS Caution Appears/XMSN OIL PRESS LOW/XMSN OIL TEMP HIGH or
XMSN OIL TEMP Caution Appears.

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