Can the ground power unit charge the aircraft batteries?

Can the ground power unit charge the aircraft batteries?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only when engines run
• D. Only during APU start

Answer: (B)

The ability to charge the batteries on this airplane is not provided by the ground power unit. On the ERJ-145, external power on the ground powers the aircraft systems through the electrical buses, but battery charging is handled by the on-board charging path—typically when the APU or the engines are running and feeding the generator/battery charger. The ground power unit does not energize that battery charging circuit, so it cannot charge the batteries. To charge the batteries, you need the APU or the engines supplying power to the aircraft’s battery charging system.

The ability to charge the batteries on this airplane is not provided by the ground power unit. On the ERJ-145, external power on the ground powers the aircraft systems through the electrical buses, but battery charging is handled by the on-board charging path—typically when the APU or the engines are running and feeding the generator/battery charger. The ground power unit does not energize that battery charging circuit, so it cannot charge the batteries. To charge the batteries, you need the APU or the engines supplying power to the aircraft’s battery charging system.