Aircraft electrical power distribution system protection using smart circuit breaker

In some aircraft with traditional distribution electrical systems, the sources, distribution, and electrical loads are fully coupled. The control surfaces in traditional aircraft are based on cables and hydraulic actuators. Furthermore, the system stability mainly related to the hydraulic system and a small portion of it is related to the electrical system reliability. However, for aircraft like A380 and B787, the flight system is based on fly by wire (FBW) technology and more electric aircraft (MEA) have drawn the attention of aircraft designers. In addition, more hydraulic actuators change to the electrical actuator, which leads to more electrical generation usage. The availability of electrical energy to the loads is only ensured through overdesign, system reconfiguration, and protection. Power electronic converters are starting to be used to fully decouple the dynamics between sources, distribution systems, and loads.