Aircraft Ground Power Connectors
by Mike Raynor

Ground power engineers can install the LPA-Niphan detachable range of connectors wherever the GPU or fixed electrical supply is located i.e. under the aircraft, in a pit, on a cable hung from an airbridge or on a mobile GPU anywhere on the airfield.

The product range includes 400 Hz, 115-200volts AC and 28volt DC connectors. Also offered is a range of connections with switches that control the power supply for on/off and raising/lowering the cables into a retrieval system or hoist.

The advantage of the 400Hz socket prefixed with ‘D’ (i.e.D400/4) is that it is supplied with a replaceable front. This enables the front section to be replaced as a maintenance spare, which enhances the life span of the connector and cable harness.

LPA Niphan Systems have now developed a cable carrier (CROCODILE). This crocodile has been developed with ease of maintenance in mind. The arms and corner sections of the crocodile have been developed in a cable trunking format so that the lids can be released to ensure that the crocodile can be re-cabled or repaired at the aircraft gate. This we believe will save on maintenance down time.