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This paper presents a summary of a Honeywell collaborative IR&D project with University of Toronto on current arc fault detection and protection (AFDP) circuits and systems for the aerospace industry. Arc fault detection and protection pose a significant challenge for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, the military, and regulatory agencies such as the FAA. Most of the AFDP research and technology development efforts to date have concentrated on the detection of parallel arc faults because of the ease of differentiating them from other operating conditions due to their high energy levels and potential for serious damage. In contrast, series arc fault currents are limited by the electrical load and are thus more difficult to detect.

Widely used in turbo-prop and business jets, Variable Frequency (VF) Electrical Power Systems are beginning to gain acceptance in the aviation industry. Commercial jet aviation manufacturers and systems integrators are interested because of the potential cost and weight savings VF systems offer. However, compatibility with conventional utility equipment that operates on 400Hz, fixed frequency (FF) still remains an issue in converting to VF power. This paper addresses considerations for the use of VF power in aircraft electrical power systems. It primarily identifies some of the difficult areas associated in the conversion over to VF using legacy equipment. The paper also provides the results of testing and modeling, and suggests alternate system configurations in adapting utilization equipment for VF use.

This paper presents the main characteristics related to the design and integration of the Electrical Power Generation and Distribution System (EPGDS) performed by Allied Signal Aerospace Canada for the Bombardier - deHavilland DHC-8 Series 400 airplane. It provides an overview of the system, and describes the development process and the various technical challenges along the way. The EPGDS comprises of a variable frequency AC Power Subsystem and a DC Power Subsystem. Since the commercial aviation industry is showing increasing interest in variable frequency power systems, this paper provides some focus on the use of variable frequency AC power on the Dash 8 platform and its impact on frequency sensitive equipment.