Design and Integration of the Power Management and Generation System for the Dash8/400 Airplane

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.