Diploma in Aircraft Electrical Architectures (MEA)
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in aircraft electrical architectures (MEA). 8 modules covering the More Electric Aircraft concept, onboard electrical networks, aeronautical power electronics, electric actuation, system electrical loads, thermal management, reliability and ARP4754A certification, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the motivations for and benefits of the More Electric Aircraft concept.
Design variable-frequency and high-voltage DC onboard electrical networks.
Size power converters for aeronautical applications.
Compare EHA and EMA electric actuation technologies.
Prepare electrical load analyses by flight phase.
Assess the safety, reliability and thermal management of the architecture.
Apply the ARP4754A process to the certification of electrical systems.
Who it's for
- Aircraft electrical systems engineers
- Power electronics engineers
- Electric actuation engineers
- MEA systems architects
- Systems safety engineers
- Iron Bird integration engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join aircraft manufacturers
What you'll work with
- MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
- RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process)
- CS-25 (EASA) (large aeroplanes)
- ISO 1540 (aircraft electrical system characteristics)
- SAE AS50881 (aerospace vehicle wiring)
- RTCA DO-311A (rechargeable lithium battery systems)
- MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape Electrical)
- PLECS
- Dymola
- Saber
- Ansys Icepak
8 modules
1.1Conventional hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems1.2Motivations: weight, efficiency and maintenance1.3The Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 as benchmarks1.4Towards the all-electric aircraft1.5Engine power extraction1.6Bleedless architecture1.7Electrical load and power balance1.8Thermal and reliability challenges1.9Technology roadmap1.10Case study: electrical architectures of the 787 and A350
2.1Constant- and variable-frequency AC2.2270 V DC and ±270 V networks2.3Power quality according to MIL-STD-7042.4Bus topologies and reconfiguration2.5Critical, essential and non-essential loads2.6Power flow studies2.7Stability with constant power loads2.8Voltage selection and wiring weight2.9Short-circuit analysis2.10Lab: simulation of a 270 V DC network
3.1Multi-pulse rectifiers3.2TRU and ATRU units3.3Bidirectional DC/DC converters3.4Inverters for drives3.5SiC and GaN semiconductors3.6EMI filters and harmonics3.7Thermal management of converters3.8Reliability and derating3.9Power density and weight3.10Practical exercise: sizing a 12-pulse rectifier
4.1Electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHA)4.2Electromechanical actuators (EMA)4.3Jamming and EMA failure modes4.4Primary and secondary flight controls4.5Electric landing gear and brakes4.6Permanent magnet synchronous motors4.7Vector control of motors4.8Energy regeneration4.9Weight and reliability comparison4.10Lab: EHA model in Simulink
5.1Bleedless environmental control5.2Electrothermal ice protection5.3Electric engine start5.4Electric fuel pumps5.5Lighting and commercial loads5.6Galleys and in-flight entertainment5.7Load management and shedding5.8Batteries and energy storage5.9APU and auxiliary generation5.10Case study: electrical load analysis of a single-aisle aircraft
6.1Heat dissipation of electrical systems6.2Liquid cooling and loops6.3Engine-integrated heat exchangers6.4Reliability and MTBF6.5Safety assessment of the architecture6.6Redundancy and availability6.7Prognostics of electrical failures6.8DO-160 environmental qualification6.9Electrical arcing and protection6.10Practical exercise: FTA of loss of essential power
7.1The ARP4754A process for electrical systems7.2CS 25.1351 to 25.1365 requirements7.3Multi-objective architecture optimisation7.4Modelling with Modelica7.5Iron Bird integration7.6Laboratory network testing7.7Hybridisation and electric propulsion7.8Lessons from lithium battery incidents7.9Cyber security of the electrical network7.10Workshop: architecture evaluation with weighted criteria
8.1Reference aircraft and loads8.2Voltages and network topology8.3Power balance by flight phase8.4Converter sizing8.5Selection of electric actuation8.6Safety and reliability analysis8.7Weight and benefit estimation8.8Verification plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape Electrical), PLECS, Dymola, Saber and Ansys Icepak, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: simulation of a 270 V DC network with constant power loads, electrical load analysis of an aircraft by flight phase, and comparative assessment of EHA and EMA actuators. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160G, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761, CS-25 (EASA), ISO 1540, SAE AS50881, RTCA DO-311A.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape Electrical), PLECS, Dymola, Saber and Ansys Icepak, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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