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Postgraduate DiplomaAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Diploma in Onboard Electrical Generation, Distribution and Protection

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in onboard electrical generation, distribution and protection. 8 modules covering the onboard electrical system, IDG and VFG generation, conversion and batteries, power distribution, electrical protection, EWIS wiring, safety and certification, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the onboard electrical architecture and the busbar hierarchy.

02

Analyse the operation of IDG and VFG generators and their control.

03

Size batteries and emergency sources in accordance with regulations.

04

Design distribution, reconfiguration and load-shedding logic.

05

Coordinate electrical protection using selectivity criteria.

06

Apply EWIS requirements to aircraft wiring.

07

Assess the safety and certification of the electrical system.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Aircraft electrical systems engineers
  • Electrical protection engineers
  • EWIS wiring engineers
  • Electrical integration engineers
  • Electrical systems certification specialists
  • Aircraft maintenance engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to join aircraft manufacturers
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • CS-25 (EASA), Subpart H EWIS (electrical wiring interconnection systems)
  • MIL-STD-704F (aircraft electric power characteristics)
  • RTCA DO-160G (environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment)
  • SAE AS50881 (aerospace vehicle wiring)
  • SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process)
  • ISO 1540 (aircraft electrical system characteristics)
  • RTCA DO-311A (rechargeable lithium battery systems)
  • SAE AS5692 (arc fault circuit breakers)
  • MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape Electrical)
  • PSCAD
  • Capital (Siemens)
  • SKM PowerTools
  • Zuken E3.series
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Primary, secondary and emergency sources
  2. 1.2AC and DC busbars and their hierarchy
  3. 1.3Single-line diagrams of commercial aircraft
  4. 1.4Ground operation with external power
  5. 1.5No-break power transfers
  6. 1.6Availability requirements by flight phase
  7. 1.7Cockpit indication and alerts
  8. 1.8Differences between commercial, regional and general aviation
  9. 1.9Electrical installation regulations
  10. 1.10Case study: reading the A320 single-line diagram
  1. 2.1Integrated drive generators (IDG)
  2. 2.2Variable frequency generators (VFG)
  3. 2.3Starter-generators on the 787
  4. 2.4Auxiliary permanent magnet generators
  5. 2.5Voltage regulation and excitation
  6. 2.6Generator control unit (GCU)
  7. 2.7Parallel operation and load sharing
  8. 2.8APU generation
  9. 2.9Ram air turbine (RAT)
  10. 2.10Lab: generator voltage regulation model
  1. 3.1Transformer rectifier units (TRU)
  2. 3.2Static emergency inverters
  3. 3.3Nickel-cadmium batteries
  4. 3.4Lithium-ion batteries and their risks
  5. 3.5Battery chargers
  6. 3.6Uninterruptible power for avionics
  7. 3.7Emergency endurance according to CS 25.1351
  8. 3.8Thermal runaway containment
  9. 3.9Battery maintenance and life
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: sizing a battery for a 30-minute emergency
  1. 4.1Primary and secondary distribution panels
  2. 4.2Contactors and power relays
  3. 4.3Solid-state power controllers (SSPC)
  4. 4.4Remote power distribution
  5. 4.5Busbar reconfiguration logic
  6. 4.6Automatic load shedding
  7. 4.7Digital control and monitoring
  8. 4.8Integration with the maintenance system
  9. 4.9Distribution weight and volume
  10. 4.10Workshop: reconfiguration logic after loss of a generator
  1. 5.1Thermal and magnetic circuit breakers
  2. 5.2Time-current curves and coordination
  3. 5.3Differential protection of feeders
  4. 5.4Arc fault detection (AFCI)
  5. 5.5Overvoltage and undervoltage protection
  6. 5.6Frequency protection
  7. 5.7Ground faults and structure return
  8. 5.8Selectivity between protection levels
  9. 5.9Laboratory protection testing
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: protection coordination for a feeder
  1. 6.1EWIS requirements of CS-25 Subpart H
  2. 6.2Selection of cables and gauges
  3. 6.3Harnesses, routing and separation
  4. 6.4Connectors and terminals
  5. 6.5Electrical bonding and structure return
  6. 6.6Ageing and degradation of wiring
  7. 6.7Lessons from TWA 800 and Swissair 111
  8. 6.8EWIS maintenance and inspection
  9. 6.9Voltage drop calculation
  10. 6.10Case study: routing a harness with separation criteria
  1. 7.1Safety assessment of the electrical system
  2. 7.2Failure mode analysis of generation
  3. 7.3Particular risks: fire, rotor burst and fluids
  4. 7.4Equipment qualification according to DO-160
  5. 7.5Power quality according to MIL-STD-704
  6. 7.6Bench integration testing
  7. 7.7Aircraft and flight testing
  8. 7.8Compliance documentation
  9. 7.9Continuing airworthiness
  10. 7.10Workshop: FMEA of a generation channel
  1. 8.1Selection of the aircraft and loads
  2. 8.2Generation architecture
  3. 8.3Distribution and reconfiguration
  4. 8.4Protection scheme
  5. 8.5Battery and emergency sizing
  6. 8.6Wiring and voltage drops
  7. 8.7Safety analysis
  8. 8.8Regulatory compliance matrix
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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), PSCAD, Capital (Siemens), SKM PowerTools and Zuken E3.series, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: analysis of busbar reconfiguration after generation failures, protection coordination in the onboard network, and design of wiring harnesses in accordance with EWIS. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: CS-25 (EASA), Subpart H EWIS, MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160G, SAE AS50881, SAE ARP4761, ISO 1540, RTCA DO-311A, SAE AS5692.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of CS-25 Subpart H EWIS, MIL-STD-704F and RTCA DO-160G applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink (Simscape Electrical), PSCAD, Capital (Siemens), SKM PowerTools and Zuken E3.series, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete onboard electrical system design for a selected aircraft, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Loads and generation architecture
Select the aircraft, define its loads and design the generation architecture.
Distribution and reconfiguration
Design the distribution and busbar reconfiguration logic.
Protection and emergency power
Coordinate the protection scheme and size batteries for emergency operation.
Wiring and safety analysis
Calculate voltage drops and carry out the safety analysis and compliance matrix.
Final project
An onboard electrical system design, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Aircraft electrical systems engineerElectrical protection engineerEWIS wiring engineerElectrical integration engineerElectrical systems certification specialistAircraft maintenance engineer
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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), PSCAD, Capital (Siemens), SKM PowerTools and Zuken E3.series, 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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