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What is the normal current for GPU power supply for commercial aircraft and how much power do they need while on ground (in kWh)?

I have read that aircraft need need 28V DC and 115V AC - what would be the percentage between both modes of supply?

Would it by possible to power GPUs entirely by solar power?

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  • $\begingroup$ You mentioned commercial aircraft but tagged this with general aviation. Are there specific aircraft types you are interested in? The power requirements will depend on aircraft size and type. $\endgroup$
    – fooot
    Jun 14, 2016 at 16:15
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    $\begingroup$ kWh is a measure of energy, not power. Energy is power applied over time. $\endgroup$
    – Steve
    Jun 14, 2016 at 17:32
  • $\begingroup$ @andrewmh20 Nope, you're backwards. See here for example. $\endgroup$
    – Steve
    Jun 16, 2016 at 15:50
  • $\begingroup$ @andrewmh20 Wh is watts multiplied by time. Power has the time component divided out. $\endgroup$
    – Steve
    Jun 17, 2016 at 2:45
  • $\begingroup$ @andrewmh20 I'm a software engineer at a company that produces watt-hour standards - I'm pretty sure I'm correct. Anyway, this is off-topic and we've discussed it enough. Believe what you will. $\endgroup$
    – Steve
    Jun 17, 2016 at 2:47

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Power requirements are dependent on airframe and configuration (see this question for a general idea). GPU's come in varying sizes for varying aircraft types. For example this GPU (arbitrarily chosen) can deliver: 800 amps continuous, 2500 amps peak. While this GPU can only drive 70Amps continuous. Others may be able to drive more and some may drive less. Are you asking about a particular application? The GPU's at the tiny airport I fly out of that we use to bump start the occasional Piper are no where near the capacity of what you may find at JFK for starting up a 747.

Would it by possible to power GPUs entirely by solar power?

Depends on the application but it would be unlikely to chose such a medium for powering a GPU the way things stand now (in terms of power requirements). You may be able to have a battery powered GPU that is charged by solar cells but that would only work well in the smaller scenario. Having a solar powered airport that can provide ground power is a whole different question.

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  • $\begingroup$ An accepted energy density for the raw solar power on the Earth is 1.3 kW/m² at noon with no clouds. Cells are about 25% efficient for conversion into current (higher efficiency cells exist only in labs at the moment). $\endgroup$
    – mins
    Jun 15, 2016 at 19:11

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