Electrical Circuits in Aircraft Assessment

What’s the primary advantage of parallel circuits over series circuits in aircraft systems?

If one component fails, others continue working

In a series circuit, where are circuit breakers (CBs) typically placed?

Upstream of the components they protect

What’s the main function of an aircraft battery?

To store electrical energy

How does cold weather affect a lead acid battery’s performance?

Reduces its capacity by up to 40%

Which method is more reliable for determining a battery’s state of charge?

Measuring specific gravity

What type of circuit would be most appropriate for critical aircraft components?

Parallel circuit

In a series-parallel circuit with taxi and landing lights, what happens if one light burns out?

The other light continues working

What distinguishes aircraft batteries from automotive batteries?

Aircraft batteries provide greater short-term capacity

Why’s hand-propping modern aircraft engines considered unsafe?

The high compression ratio makes it difficult

What are the three possible sources of electricity available to light aircraft?

Battery, GPU, and Alternator

How does temperature affect specific gravity readings of battery electrolyte?

Higher temperature results in lower SPGR

What’s a key design requirement for aircraft batteries regarding flight conditions?

Must function in unusual attitudes including inverted flight

Why are parallel circuits considered ideal for aircraft systems?

They provide redundancy and isolation

What’s the relationship between oil grade and battery performance in cold weather?

Oil grade has no effect on battery function

Which statement about aircraft batteries is correct?

They are smaller than car batteries

In a series circuit, what happens when one component fails?

The entire circuit loses power

What’s a primary consideration for aircraft battery design?

Short-term high output capacity

How do modern Christmas tree lights differ from older ones in terms of circuitry?

They are wired in parallel

What happens to battery chemical reactions in cold weather?

They slow down

What’s recommended for cold weather engine starts?

Using a preheat system and possibly a GPU