B737 NG

APU

Introduction
The auxiliary power unit (APU) is a selfcontained gas turbine engine installed
within a fireproof compartment located in the tail of the airplane.
The APU supplies bleed air for engine starting or air conditioning. An AC
electrical generator on the APU provides an auxiliary AC power source.
APU Location
AIR DIFFUSER
VORTEX
AIR INLET DOOR
APU BLEED
AIR DUCT
EXHAUST
COOLING AIR
APU DUCT
INLET
DUCT
GENERATOR
OUTLET
APU FUEL
LINE
EXHAUST
MUFFLER
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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APU Fuel Supply
[Option - APU DC fuel boost pump]
Fuel to start and operate the APU comes from the left side of the fuel manifold
when the AC fuel pumps are operating. A DC operated APU fuel boost pump is
installed to ensure positive fuel pressure to the APU fuel control unit. During APU
start and operation, the pump operates automatically when the APU fuel control
unit senses low fuel pressure. The pump shuts off automatically when an AC fuel
pump pressurizes the fuel manifold. If the AC and DC fuel pumps are not
operating, fuel is suction fed from the No. 1 tank. During APU operation, fuel is
automatically heated to prevent icing.
APU Engine and Cooling Air
APU engine air routes to the APU through an automatically operated air inlet door
located on the right side of the fuselage. APU exhaust gases discharge overboard
through an exhaust muffler.
Air for APU cooling enters through a cooling air inlet above the APU exhaust
outlet. This air circulates through the APU compartment, passes through the oil
cooler and vents through the exhaust outlet.
Electrical Requirements for APU Operation
APU operation requires the following:
APU fire switch on the overheat/fire panel must be IN
APU fire control handle on the APU ground control panel must be IN
battery switch must be ON.
Electrical power to start the APU comes from No. 1 transfer bus or the airplane
battery(ies). With AC power available, the starter generator uses AC power to start
the APU. With no AC power, the starter generator uses battery power to start the
APU.
Moving the battery switch to OFF on the ground or in the air automatically shuts
down the APU because of power loss to the electronic control unit.
APU Operation
The APU starts and operates up to the airplane maximum certified altitude.
The APU supplies bleed air for both air conditioning packs on the ground or one
pack in flight. Both transfer busses can be powered on the ground or in flight.
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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APU Start
The automatic start sequence begins by moving the APU switch momentarily to
START. This initiates opening of the air inlet door. When the APU inlet door
reaches the full open position the start sequence begins. After the APU reaches the
proper speed, ignition and fuel are provided. When the APU is ready to accept a
bleed air or electrical load the APU GEN OFF BUS light illuminates.
Note: When the APU is started using battery power only, there is no indication
on the electrical metering panel that the APU generator has come on line
and is ready to be selected. Both the frequency and voltage readings are
zero until the APU generator is placed on line.
Note: During the APU start cycle, the APU EGT indication may fluctuate from
0 to 1100 C prior to normal EGT rise and the LOW OIL PRESSURE light
may cycle on and off several times. These indications have no adverse
effect on starting the APU. It is not necessary to monitor EGT during start.
If the APU does not reach the proper speed with the proper acceleration rate within
the time limit of the starter, the start cycle automatically terminates. The start cycle
may take as long as 120 seconds. Automatic shutdown occurs in the event of EGT
exceedance.
If the start fails or the APU GEN OFF BUS light fails to illuminate by the end of
the start cycle, a system failure has occurred and the FAULT light illuminates.
Operate the APU for one full minute before using it as a bleed air source. This one
minute stabilization is recommended to extend the service life of the APU.
APU Shutdown
Operate the APU for one full minute with no bleed air load prior to shutdown. This
cooling period is recommended to extend the service life of the APU. When the
APU switch is moved to OFF, this time delay is met automatically.
Moving the APU switch to OFF trips the APU generator, closes the APU bleed air
valve and extinguishes the APU GEN OFF BUS light. Shutdown occurs
automatically after 60 seconds. When the APU speed decreases sufficiently
during shutdown, the fuel valve and inlet door close. If the fuel valve does not
close, the FAULT light will illuminate after approximately 30 seconds. An
immediate shutdown can be accomplished by pulling the APU fire switch.
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

An electronic control unit (ECU) monitors and controls the APU.
Automatic shutdown protection is provided for overspeed conditions; low oil
oil pressure, high oil temperature, APU fire, fuel control unit failure, EGT
exceedance, and other system faults monitored by the ECU.

The ECU automatically controls APU speed through the electronic fuel control. If
speed or EGT exceed acceptable levels with the APU providing electrical load
only, some electrical load is shed. When electrical load and air extraction raise the
EGT above acceptable levels during engine starting, electrical load shedding
occurs prior to reducing bleed air. When electrical load and air extraction raise the
EGT above acceptable levels other than during engine starting, the inlet guide
vanes move toward a closed position, reducing bleed air extraction while
maintaining electrical load.

APU Automatic Load Shedding
[Option - CAB/UTIL Power Switch]
In flight, if the APU is the only source of electrical power, all galley busses and
main buses are automatically shed. If electrical load still exceeds design limits,
both IFE busses are also automatically shed. On the ground, the APU attempts to
carry a full electrical load. If an overload condition is sensed, the APU sheds
galley busses and main busses until the load is within limits. Manual restoration
of galley and main bus power can be attempted by moving the CAB/UTIL Power
Switch to OFF, then back ON.
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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APU OVERHEAD PANEL
APU Maintenance (MAINT) Light
Illuminated (blue) APU maintenance problem exists:
APU may be operated
light is disarmed when APU switch is in OFF.
APU Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) Indicator
Displays APU EGT
EGT indicator remains powered for 5 minutes after shutdown.
APU OVERSPEED Light
Illuminated (amber)
APU RPM limit has been exceeded resulting in an automatic shutdown
overspeed shutdown protection feature has failed a selftest during a
normal APU shutdown
0
2
4
6
10
8
EGT
SPEED
OVER
PRESSURE
LOW OIL
MAINT FAULT
APU
ON
START
OFF
APU
FORWARD OVERHEAD PANEL
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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if light is illuminated when APU switch is placed to OFF, light
extinguishes after 5 minutes
light is disarmed when the APU switch is in OFF position.
APU FAULT Light
Illuminated (amber)
a malfunction exists causing APU to initiate an automatic shutdown
if light is illuminated when APU switch is placed to OFF, light
extinguishes after 5 minutes
light is disarmed when APU switch is in OFF position.
APU LOW OIL PRESSURE Light
Illuminated (amber)
during start until the APU oil pressure is normal
oil pressure is low causing an automatic shutdown (after start cycle is
complete)
if light is illuminated when APU switch is placed to OFF, light
extinguishes after 5 minutes
light is disarmed when APU switch is in OFF position.
APU Switch
OFF normal position when APU is not running
positioning switch to OFF with APU running trips APU generator off the
bus(es), if connected, and closes APU bleed air valve. APU continues to
run for a 60 second cooling period
APU air inlet door automatically closes after shutdown.
ON normal position when APU is running.
START (momentary) positioning APU switch from OFF to START and
releasing it to ON, initiates an automatic start sequence.
Boeing B737 NG - Systems Summary [APU]
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APU Limitations
[Option - Typical JAA]
APU bleed + electrical load: max alt 10,000 ft.
[Option - Typical FAA]
Inflight - APU bleed + electrical load: max alt 10,000 ft.
[Option - Typical FAA]
Ground only - APU bleed + electrical load: max alt 15,000 ft.
APU bleed: max alt 17,000 ft.
APU electrical load: max alt 41,000 ft.

NonAFM Operational Information
Note: The following items are not AFM limitations, but are provided for flight
crew information.
APU bleed valve must be closed when:
ground air connected and isolation valve open
engine no. 1 bleed valve open
isolation and engine no. 2 bleed valves open.APU bleed valve may be open
during engine start, but avoid engine power above idle.














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