Airport Lighting Maintenance

Training Program

Constant Current Regulators

 FAA Designations
L-827 Stand Alone Monitor for CCR
L-828 CCR without Monitoring
L-829 CCR with Monitoring Included
Class 1: 6.6 Amp Output
Class 2: 20 Amp Output
Style 1: 3 Brightness Steps
Style 2: 5 Brightness Steps
Standard Sizes: 4,7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 & 70kW
Standard Voltages: 240, 480 & 2400 volt
 Major Components of a CCR
Main Transformer
SCR Silicon Controlled Rectifier
Saturable Reactor
0

AC Current Sine Wave

0

Chopped Sine Wave Showing SCR Output

Saturable Core Reactor
 General Design Types of CCRs
Moving (Floating) Coil

Resonant Network

Saturable Reactor

Ferroresonant

Series
General Electric Moving Coil CCR-Late 1960s
 Resonant Network Regulator
Basic Design An input transformer,
brightness relays, a resonant network made up
of capacitors and inductors, an output
transformer and filter.
Advantages: Sinusoidal Output, Moderate
Efficiency
Disadvantages: Output current directly
proportional to the input voltage i.e. a 1%
change in input voltage = a 1% change in
current
Resonant Network CCR Circuit
 Saturable Reactor Regulator
Characteristics
Moderate Efficiency
Sinusoidal Output
Tolerant of Temporary Overloads
Less Inclined to Produce High Frequency
Transients
Slow Response Time
 15 kW Saturable Reactor Regulator
Input Voltage & Current Output Current
15 kW Saturable Reactor Regulator
Input Power Input Harmonics
 Ferroresonant Network
Regulator
Characteristics
Relatively High Power Factor
Sinusoidal Output
Moderate Efficiency
Low Harmonics
Typical Ferroresonant Circuit
Ferroresonant CCR Schematic
 20kW Ferroresonant Regulator
Input Voltage & Current Output Current
 20kW Ferroresonant Regulator
Input Power @ 6.6 A Input Harmonics @ 6.6A
 Series Type Regulator
Characteristics
Small size and lightweight
Inexpensive
Poor efficiency except when fully loaded
Non-sinusoidal output
Can generate harmonics back into the line
Not tolerant of overloads or transient loads
such as REILs
Typical Series (thyristor) Type Regulator Circuit
Series Regulator Wiring Diagram
 10kW Series Regulator
Input Voltage & Current Output Current
 10kw Series Regulator
Input Power @ 6.6 A Output Harmonics @ 6.6A
Constant Current
Regulator Remote
Control
Regulator Maintenance
Regular Inspections

Spare Parts

Reliable Service
 Preventive Maintenance
Daily checks
Check for proper operation
Weekly checks
Visual Inspection
Monthly checks
Check and record input voltage, should be within + or
- 5%
Check and record output current on each step and
compare with tolerances listed in tables 2 & 3
 Semi-Annual Checks
If a change in output circuit has occurred, check
for overloading of the regulator. Overheating or
inability to reach max output (6.6 or 20 amps)
can be a sign of overloading.
Shutdown and lockout power to the regulator
and inspect all connections for signs of
overheating. Remove cover panels and inspect
areas not readily visible.
 Annual Checks
Oil cooled CCRs: perform oil dielectric test
Oil should test above 22kV
Perform a short circuit test and check current
output per tables 2 & 3
Perform an open circuit test
Perform an over-current test on regulators of
10kW and larger size per manufacturers
recommendations
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