AIRBUS A380 APU UNIT( PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW980)

APU Ignition and Starting System

Once the APU MASTER switch is pressed, the ECB opens the Inlet Flap to let the
external air enter the APU inlet plenum. Once the Inlet flap is open and when the APU
START P/BSW is pressed, the ECB energizes the APU starter via the APU battery (up

to 25000ft) or via the aircraft DC supply depending on the power supply availability.
When compressor speed is sufficient, the ECB triggers ignition, and the Fuel Control

Unit starts to regulate the fuel flow supplied to the combustion chamber.
When the engine has reached a specific speed, the starter and the igniters are deenergized and the ECB continues to meter the fuel flow to reach the APU operation
speed.

General
The components used for the control, monitoring and power supply of the APU are the
following ones:
1) Cockpit APU Controls
The following controls are located on the cockpit overhead panel:

Two APU pushbutton switches are used to start and stop the APU. The APU FIRE

pushbutton switch is used to trigger an emergency shutdown in case of a fire.

The APU BLEED pushbutton switch is used to supply APU bleed air to the pneumatic

system.
The two APU GEN pushbutton switches are used to manually unload the two APU
generators.

2) External Emergency Shutdown Controls

Two external emergency shutdown controls let an emergency shutdown of the APU

from the ground.

One APU SHUT OFF pushbutton is located on the nose landing gear control panel
and one APU EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN pushbutton is located on the Integrated

Refuel Panel (IRP).

3) Electronic Control Box
The Electronic Control Box (ECB) is a digital controller used to automatically control
and monitor the APU from start to shutdown.

It is installed in the electronic rack 5100VU located at the rear part of the pressurized

fuselage.
4) APU Battery
The APU battery is used to give an autonomous power supply to the APU start. It is
installed in the bulk cargo compartment.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA PW980 AND ALLIEDSIGNAL

GTCP 85
PW980

Two shaft gas turbine engine

Provides bleed air for cabin conditioning and main engine starting
Provides electrical power from two gearbox mounted,120kVA generator
Delivers in flight back up power
Used on A380
Located in the rear end of the aircraft

GTCP 85

A single shaft gas turbine engine

Self-contained unit located on the right side of the aft fuselage
Air inlet supplies air for engine and accessory cooling
Usage of 24VDC power supply to turn the engine during start cycle