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Differential Relay Switch Aircraft electrical systems normally use some type of reverse current relay switch, which acts not only as a reverse current relay cutout but also serves as a remote control switch by which the generator can be disconnected from the electrical system at any time. One type of reverse current relay switch operates on the voltage level of the generator, but the type most commonly used on large aircraft is the differential relay switch, which is controlled by the difference in voltage between the battery bus and the generator. The differential type relay switch connects the generator to the main bus bar in the electrical system when the generator voltage output exceeds the bus voltage by 0.35 to 0.65 volt. It disconnects the generator when a nominal reverse current flows from the bus to the generator. The differential relays on all the generators of a multiengine aircraft do not close when the electrical load is light. For example, in an aircraft having a load of 50 amperes, only two or three relays may close. If a heavy load is applied, the equalizing circuit will lower the voltage of the generators already on the bus and, at the same time, raise the voltage of the remaining generators, allowing their relays to close. If the generators have been paralleled properly, all the relays stay closed until the generator control switch is turned off or until the engine speed falls below the minimum needed to maintain generator output voltage. The differential generator control relay shown in Figure 10-313 is made up of two relays and a coil-operated contactor. One relay is the voltage relay and the other is the differential relay. Both relays include permanent magnets, which pivot between the pole pieces of temporary magnets wound with relay coils. Voltages of one polarity set up fields about the temporary magnets with polarities that cause the permanent magnet to move in the direction necessary to close the relay contacts; voltages of the opposite polarity establish fields that cause the relay contacts to open. The differential relay has two coils wound on the same core. The coil-operated contactor, called the main contactor, consists of movable contacts that are operated by a coil with a movable iron core.
Closing the generator switch on the control panel connects the generator output to the voltage relay coil. When generator voltage reaches 22 volts, current flows through the coil and closes the contacts of the voltage relay. This action completes a circuit from the generator to the battery through the differential coil. When the generator voltage exceeds the bus voltage by 0.35 volt, current will flow through the differential coil, the differential relay contact will close and, thus, complete the main contractor coil circuit. The contacts of the main contactor close and connect the generator to the bus. When the generator voltage drops below the bus (or battery) voltage, a reverse current weakens the magnetic field about the temporary magnet of the differential relay. The weakened field permits a spring to open the differential relay contacts, breaking the circuit to the coil of the main contactor relay, opening its contacts, and disconnecting the generator from the bus. The generator battery circuit may also be broken by opening the cockpit control switch, which opens the contacts of the voltage relay, causing the differential relay coil to be de-energized. |
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