EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
Chapter 5: Auxiliary Power Unit
General
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a constant-speed gas turbine engine installed in the
tail of the aircraft. It can be used both on the ground and in flight to provide bleed air and
DC electrical power. The APU has a single-stage centrifugal compressor, a reverse-flow
annular combustion chamber, and a singe-stage radial turbine. ExpressJet Embraer
aircraft are equipped with the Hamilton Sundstrand T-62T-40C14 APU.
STARTER-GENERATOR BLEED AIR DUCT
FIRE DETECTION
EXHAUST
APU FIRE EXTINGUISHING
BOTTLE
DRAIN
AIR INTAKE FOR STARTER-
GENERATOR
APU System Components
Fuel System
The APU fuel system includes a fuel pump, fuel solenoid valve, acceleration control
system, purge valve, fuel nozzles, fuel filter, and manifold. The acceleration control
system provides fuel according to a preprogrammed schedule. Fuel for the APU is
normally taken out of the right tank, but the APU can utilize fuel from the left tank via
Ignition System
The APU ignition system includes an exciter, igniter plugs, and the necessary wiring to
provide ignition during the APU start sequence.
Lubrication System
A
83 self-contained lubrication system is attached to the APU accessory gearbox. The
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lubrication cooling system does not require a heat exchanger. If the APU oil temperature
exceeds 166°C, the APU OIL HI TEMP caution message is displayed on the EICAS. If the oil
pressure drops below 6 psi, the APU OIL LO PRESS caution message is displayed on the EICAS.
EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
Control System
The APU control system is composed of a FADEC that is located in the rear electronic
compartment. The APU FADEC is powered by hot bus 1. The essential DC bus 2 powers
the APU control system. If hot bus 1 fails, the APU will shut down immediately. If
essential DC bus 2 fails, the APU shuts down after six seconds.
The FADEC incorporates a protection system to automatically shut the APU down when
faults are detected. When the APU is automatically shut down, the APU FAIL caution
message is displayed on the EICAS. The APU will automatically shut down under the
Failure
following to start
conditions:
Failure to light
Failure to accelerate (after one swing start)
The APU bleed valve is opened during the APU start
Underspeed
Overspeed (104% rotor speed)
Over temperature
Fire
Low oil pressure
High oil temperature
Loss of rotor speed data
Loss of EGT data
Loss of FADEC signal
FADEC failure
External short
Oil pressure switch short
NOTE: If an APU fire is detected there is a
10 second delay before the automatic APU
In flight:
Failure to start
Failure to light
Failure to accelerate
Underspeed
Overspeed (104% rotor speed)
Loss of speed data
Loss of FADEC signal
FADEC failure
External short
NOTE: The APU will not automatically shut down in flight for
heat related items because if the APU generator is the only
remaining generator on the aircraft, it will have a large
APU Bleed Air System
The APU bleed air system includes a bleed valve and an anti-surge valve. The anti-surge
valve is controlled by the APU FADEC and regulates the APU bleed air pressure entering
the pneumatic system by dumping excess APU bleed air into the APU exhaust.
Starter-Generator
The APU contains a combined starter-generator unit. When the APU starting contactor
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closes, DC power from the central bus is applied to the unit and the starter-generator
acts as an electric starter motor. When the APU reaches 50% rotor speed, the APU
starting contactor opens depowering the starter. After the APU RPM is above 95% for
EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
APU System Schematic
APU Operation
Starting the APU
The APU can be started by a GPU, battery 2, or battery 2 assisted by engine driven
generators. The APU MASTER knob initiates the start sequence. Before selecting START,
leave the knob in the ON position to energize the APU FADEC and allow it to complete its
built in test that incorporates a test of the APU overspeed protection. The ON position
also opens the APU fuel shutoff valve in the fuselage of the aircraft. When the test is
complete, the APU RPM indicator on the EICAS will stop flashing. When the knob is
moved to the START position, the battery 1 contactor opens to protect voltage sensitive
equipment on the backup buses. Then, the APU starting contactor closes supplying DC
power to the starter-generator, which accelerates the APU compressor.
At approximately 3% rotor speed on the ground (0% in flight), the APU FADEC activates
the APU ignition system and opens the main fuel solenoid valve, which allows fuel to
enter the combustion chamber. At 50% rotor speed, the FADEC de-energizes the starter
and at 70% rotor speed, the FADEC de-energizes the ignition exciter. After the APU RPM
is above 95% for seven seconds, the FADEC allows the APU to supply electric power and
bleed air.
NOTE: Do not start the APU until the AHRS 1-2 ALN advisory message is
displayed on the EICAS (about 30 seconds after initial power-up).
NOTE: After starting the APU with an engine running, wait a
minimum of one minute before shutting the engines down to prevent
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EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
NOTE: Ensure that either the fuel pump in tank 2 is on or that the
fuel pump in tank 1 is on with the crossfeed selector knob in the
NOTE: The minimum battery temperature to start the APU is -20°C.
NOTE: The minimum battery voltage to start the APU is 19.0 volts.
APU Swing Start
If APU ignition is not detected by approximately 30% rotor speed, the FADEC de-
energizes the starter-generator. When the APU rotor speed decelerates to about
5%, the FADEC activates the starter again to attempt another start. Swing starts
are allowed once per engine start. In regards to APU starter limits, a swing start
APU Starter Limits
For the first two start attempts, a one-minute cooling period is required after
each start before the starter can be engaged again. After the third start attempt,
a 30-minute cooling period is required before the starter can be engaged again.
Supplying DC Electrical Power
The EDL does not allow another power source to power the electrical system in parallel
with a GPU. In order for the APU generator to supply power to the aircraft, the APU
generator button must be selected, and the GPU button must be deselected. Once the
GPU button is deselected, the APU line contactor closes allowing the APU generator to
supply 28 volt DC electric power to the aircraft. The APU burns approximately 100 lbs of
fuel per hour while providing 28 volt electric power.
If battery voltage is low, the APU generator will experience a large load when it is
connected to the electrical system as it recharges the batteries. If the current rises
above 400 amps, the APU GEN OVLD caution message is displayed on the EICAS. If the APU
voltage is between 400 and 500 amps, deselect the shed buses to reduce the electrical
load. Once under 400 amps, the shed buses can be powered again. If APU amperage
Supplying Bleed Air
The APU can provide bleed air to operate the ATS for engine starting and to run the two
Environmental Control Units (ECU) for air conditioning when engine bleed air is not
available. APU bleed air cannot be used for the thermal anti-icing system because bleed
air from the APU does not have enough thermal energy.
To open the APU Bleed Valve (ABV), select the APU BLEED button on the air conditioning
and pneumatic control panel. When selected, a striped bar and OPEN inscription on the
button is illuminated. A check valve after the ABV prevents higher-pressure air from
other pneumatic sources such as the engine bleeds or a start cart from entering the APU
bleed system. This prevents higher-pressure air from entering the APU through the ABV
and disrupting the gas turbine engine operation. The ABV automatically closes when
either Engine Bleed Valve (EBV) opens.
To extend the life of the APUs, ExpressJet requires crews to wait three minutes after
the APU is started before opening the ABV. This allows the APU turbine blades to warm
up to around 300°C before the ABV is opened, which will increase the EGT to 550°C.
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EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
Shutting Down the APU
To shut the APU down, press the APU STOP button first. This closes the fuel solenoid
valve on the APU fuel control unit. When the APU rotor speed reaches 0%, the APU
MASTER knob can be turned to the OFF position to depower the APU FADEC and close
the APU fuel shutoff valve located in the fuselage of the aircraft.
The APU can also be shut down by moving the APU MASTER knob to the OFF position
without pressing the APU STOP button. This is not the approved way to shut the APU
down because it will depower the APU FADEC before the APU rotor speed reaches 0%.
With the APU FADEC depowered, the crew would not be alerted if the APU catches on
APU Compartment
The APU is loacted in the tailcone. A titanium firewall isolates the APU to protect the
rest of the aircraft in case the APU cathes on fire. An access door located on the left
side of the APU compartment allows mechanics to service the APU.
The APU starter-generator shaft drives a cooling fan. A NACA duct on the left side of the
tailcone supplies air to the cooling fan. The APU drain system is ducted to the right side
of the tailcone.
Some aircraft have different APU cowls because ExpressJet upgraded some of the cowls
Original Cowl New Cowl
APU AIR INLET
APU AIR INLET
COOLING INLET FOR
APU GEN COOLING 5 MM APU OIL COOLER
INTEGRATED
EXHAUST (SCOOP) DIVERTER 10 MM DIVERTER
5 MM
DIVERTER
COOLING INLET FOR APU
GENERATOR
APU GENERATOR COOLING
COOLING INLET FOR APU OIL
EXHAUST, WITH 10 MM
COOLER (SCOOP NOT SHOWN)
DIVERTER
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EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
COOLING INLET FOR APU
GENERATOR (SCOOP)
Controls and Indications
APU Control Panel
1. APU MASTER knob
OFF: Commands the APU to shut down by
depowering the APU FADEC and closing the
APU fuel shutoff valve in the fuselage of the
aircraft. It also removes the APU indications
from the EICAS when the APU rotor speed is
below 5%.
ON: Energizes the APU FADEC, opens the
APU fuel shutoff valve in the fuselage, turns
on the EICAS APU indications, and allows 1
the APU to remain running after it is started.
START: Initiates the APU start sequence.
2
2. APU STOP button – Closes the fuel solenoid
valve on the APU fuel control unit.
2 3
3. APU FUEL SHUTOFF button (guarded) – When
pressed, both the APU fuel shutoff valve in the
fuselage of the aircraft and the fuel solenoid
Air Conditioning and Pneumatic Control Panel
The APU BLEED button on the air conditioning and
pneumatic control panel opens and closes the ABV.
When the button is selected, a striped bar and an
OPEN inscription on the button are illuminated. A
check valve after the ABV prevents the APU from
supplying bleed air to the pneumatic system if an air
source with higher-pressure air is connected to the
pneumatic system.
Electrical System Panel
When the APU GEN button is selected, the APU
generator is connected to the electrical system as
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long as the GPU button is deselected. When selected,
a striped bar in the button is illuminated. When
deselected, the APU generator is disconnected from
EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
EICAS Indications
The APU rotor speed and EGT indications
are shown on the bottom left corner of the
EICAS. The APU indications are only
displayed when the APU MASTER knob is in
the ON position after the APU FADEC
completes its self-test. When the APU
MASTER is set to the OFF position and the
APU rotor speed is below 5%, the APU
NOTE: The APU will initiate an
automatic shut down when rotor
NOTE: The APU can be operated at
EGT values from 681°C to 717°C for
a maximum of five minutes.
Limitations
Auxiliary Power Unit
Minimum battery temperature for an APU start: -20°C
Minimum battery voltage for an APU start: 19.0 volts
APU starter limits:
Start Required
Attem Cooling
pt Period
1st 60 seconds
Maximum altitude to start the APU: FL300
2nd 60 seconds
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3rd 30 minutes
EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG
Maximum operational altitude of the APU: FL370 Power Unit
Maximum APU generator load above FL300: 300 amps
The APU will automatically shut down at 104% rotor speed.
The APU EGT may exceed 680°C up to 717°C for a maximum of five minutes.
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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EMB-145/EMB-135 Chapter 5: Auxiliary
SSG Power Unit
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