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Is this an standard question ?

Asked by: 4606 views Aircraft Systems, Commercial Pilot, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Hello everybody.I saw a question in engine exam, I don't know is this a standard question or not and what is the answer if you know? When alternator fails what will indicates in loadmater? 1) Zero 2) It moves toward the negative side 3) Normal discharge 4) Normal discharge follow by zero indication

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2 Answers



  1. Chris Polek on Jun 06, 2014

    Reza,
    Yes this question is a standard question I ask my students when we get into system knowledge. Because you can scan your instruments all day long but if you don’t know what they are telling you, you can not take the appropriate actions.

    First let’s look at what the questions is asking. The key to this question is the word “load meter”. There are two ways to wire in an electrical meter into an aircraft electrical system and the way the meter is installed in the system defines what it tells you.

    A “load meter” is installed in the system to tell you how much load the electrical system is putting out. It is placed inline with the output of the alternator and tells you either the percent of total load being supplied or the amount of amps being supplied depending on how the gauge is marked. This type of gauge is most commonly seen in most aircraft manufactured by Beechcraft. So when the alternator fails the gauge will simply go to zero. Answer 1.

    A “amp meter” is installed in the system to tell you how much current is going to or coming from the battery. This meter is found in most Cessna and Piper aircraft. The normal indication should be slightly to the positive side (charge) of center indicating the battery is taking a charge from the alternator. If the alternator fails the meter will swing to the negative or discharge side of the meter and the amount of deflection is a indication of how much you have turned on for example if your at night and have all the lights on and pitot heat on and all your radios you could expect the needle to be all the way to the left of center. If it’s during the day and all you have on are some radios then you will see slight deflection to the discharge side.

    Hope this helps.

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  2. reza zare on Jun 06, 2014

    Hello Chris Polek
    thank you very much you really help me

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