28-41-000-0 Digital Fuel Quantity Indicating System

B727 AMM - DIGITAL FUEL QUANTITY INDICATING
SYSTEM - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Revision
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DIGITAL FUEL QUANTITY INDICATING SYSTEM - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
1. General
A. The fuel quantity indicating system measures the weight of the
usable fuel aboard the airplane. System components are located
in the control cabin, the fuel tanks, and at the fueling
station. Control cabin equipment consists of fuel quantity
indicators ( Ref. Fig. 1 ) and digital calibration trim
units (DCTU), and one fuel quantity indicator push-to-test
switch.
B. Fuel tank components consist of tank units, compensator units,
and fuel measuring sticks. Fueling panel quantity indicators
and a fuel quantity indicator test switch, are located at the
fueling control panel. Each fuel quantity indicator can be
installed at any location on the P4 panel. Each fueling
indicator can be installed at any location on the P15 panel.
Indicators on P4 and P15 panels for same tank are not
interchangeable.
C. The overall system is composed of a subsystem for each tank.
Each subsystem consists of a fuel quantity indicator and
digital calibration trim unit (DCTU), a fueling quantity
indicator, a compensator unit, and a number of tank units. The
tank units in each tank are connected in parallel and
positioned so that only usable fuel is measured. Capacitance
values of the tank units in each tank are added to give a
single capacitance value, which is transmitted to a fuel
quantity indicator.
D. The fueling quantity indicators on the fueling control panel
repeat the fuel quantity shown by the fuel quantity indicators
in the control cabin. The fueling quantity indicators operate
only when fueling station door is open and the fueling power
switch is in the "ON" position. The fueling quantity indicators
control the operation of the fueling valve through the
Volumetric top-off relay module unless the aircraft tanks are
fitted with a float switch, which would initiate shut off.
E. DELETED
2. Tank Units
P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

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Copyright © 13 FedEx Express Corporation, Memphis TN, 38194, All rights reserved. MAR 01/2009
Revision
A. The tank units are variable capacitors, which are mounted

throughout each fuel tank ( Ref. Fig. 1 ) to sense the fuel
level variations and, as a result of capacitance change,
transmit electrical signals to the fuel quantity indicators.
The tank unit consists of two concentric electrodes, which are
rigidly spaced at intervals throughout their length by
insulating centering spacers. The inner electrode consists of a
min body of insulating material with two separately insulated
conducting surfaces around its outer face. One conducting
surface is grounded, the other is connected to the amplifier
input of the system bridge circuit. This active surface is
profiled for accurate linear indication in the cruise flight
attitude and ground attitudes. The outer electrode consists of
a main body of insulating material with two separately
insulated conducting surfaces around its inner face. Openings
at the ends of the unit permit fuel to assume the same level
between the electrodes as that in the tank. Tank units are
located so that errors due to airplane attitude are kept to a
minimum.
B. The tank units are mounted to wings ribs. Access to the tank
units is obtained through fuel tank and rib access openings.
Electrical connections to tank units are made at the tank unit
terminals ( Ref. Fig. 1). Tank unit leads, within a given
tank, form a harness, which terminates at a receptacle (Fig.
2 ). The receptacles for tanks No. 1 and No. 2 are located at
the front spar of the left wing; the receptacle for tank No. 3
is located at the front spar of right wing. Mating with each
receptacle is a bussing plug assembly. The plug assembly
connects the tank units in parallel.
3. Compensator Units
A. The compensator unit in each tank acts as sensing elements to
maintain a linear relationship between fuel dielectric
properties and fuel density. Each compensator unit consists of
a capacitor protected by a mechanical shield. The compensator
units are mounted to wing ribs and are located so that they are
completely submerged in fuel at all times. One compensator unit
in each tank is used for the fuel quantity indicating system.
Leads from the compensator units are contained in the same
harness used for the tank units.
4. Fuel Quantity Indicator ( Ref. Fig. 1 )

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A. Digital fuel quantity indicators on P4 panel show the weight of

fuel in each tank. Each indicator consists of a single chip
microcomputer system and a digital liquid crystal display
(LCD). The microcomputer measures capacitive and resistive
current in the tank units. The microcomputer also monitors the
leakage current and other circuit parameters. When any
parameter reaches an unacceptable level an error code is
displayed on the indicator face. The display will read ERR plus
an error code between 0 and 10, which will be used to assist in
trouble shooting the system.
NOTE : DELETED
DELETED paragraph
(1) The following define the error codes:
FUEL QUANTITY
ERROR
INDICATOR
CODE
READING PROBABLE CAUSE
1 Normal Open or short in COMP LO-Z
line
2 Zero Short in compensator unit
(HI-Z to COMP LO-Z)
3 Normal Excessive compensator unit
leakage
4 Zero Open in TANK LO-Z line
5 Zero Short in tank unit (HI-Z to
TANK LO-Z)
6 Normal Excessive tank unit leakage
7 *[1] Digital Calibration Trim Unit
failure
8 Blank Error in DCTU data
9 *[1] Indicator memory failure
10 Zero Open or short in HI-Z line
B. To clear any stored error codes, including those stored by

activating the self-test switch, press indicator test switch
until display goes to zero, release switch, then press switch
again while indicator is in self-test mode. Indicator will
complete self-test cycle and display word CLR.
5. Fueling Quantity Indicator ( Ref. Fig. 1 )

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A. Fueling quantity indicators of the P15 panel show the weight of

fuel in the tanks. The fueling quantity indicators function as
repeaters of the fuel quantity indicators located in the
control cabin and aid the ground crew in fueling or defueling
operations. The fueling quantity indicators are interchangeable
with each other. The fueling quantity indicators are operative
only when the fueling station door is open. When the door is
closed, power to the fueling quantity indicators is interrupted
by a proximity switch.
B. The fueling quantity indicators monitor the signal received
from the fuel quantity indicators and control the operations of
the VTO relay module, and display an error code if a system
malfunction exists. The following table lists the error codes
and their probable causes.
ERROR FUEL QUANTITY PROBABLE CAUSE
CODE INDICATOR
READING
7 Zero Signal from fuel
quantity
indicator erroneous or
missing
NOTE : When fueling quantity indicator test switch on P15 panel

is activated, fueling quantity indicators display ERR
and error code seven. Fuel quantity indicators in flight
compartment display ERR and log error code one into
memory.
C. Operation of the fuel quantity indicators can be tested by the

test switch located on the third crewman"s lower panel, and one
for the three indicators on the fueling control panel ( Ref.
Fig. 2 ). Actuation of the applicable indicator test switch on
the third crewman"s panel grounds the tank unit portion of the
indicator circuit. This unbalances the indicator circuit and
causes the applicable indicator to move down scale. The fueling
quantity indicators do not move when a test switch in the
control cabin is actuated. When the TEST GAUGES switch is
actuated on the fueling control panel, the fueling quantity
indicators show zero fuel and error seven after five seconds.
In addition, the volumetric top-off relay unit can be tested
using the TEST GAUGES switch on the fueling control panel. The

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fueling valve switches must be in the OPEN position. When the

TEST GAUGES switch is positioned to ON, the fueling valves will
close. The closing cycle is evidenced by the valve in-transit
lights.
6. Digital Calibration Trim Unit (DCTU)
A. Digital calibration trim units (DCTU) installed behind each
fuel quantity indicator, are used to program the indicators
with seven fuel tank parameters. This programming allows for
replacement of any fuel quantity indicator by any other fuel
quantity indicator.
7. Measuring Sticks
A. The measuring stick (dripstick) ( Ref. Fig. 1) provides a
direct measurement of the fuel level in the fuel tank by
mechanical means. This assists the ground crew in its fueling
operations by allowing a comparison of the fuel quantity
determined by the dripstick, with the fuel weight indicated by
the fuel quantity indicators. A single dripstick is provided
for each main tank. Some airplanes (Fig. 1 ) have three
dripsticks installed in access panels of tanks No. 1 and 3.
These additional dripsticks provide greater accuracy and permit
reliable fuel measurement readings for tanks No. 1 and 3 when
the airplane is out of normal position attitude (3/4 + 1/4
degree nose down, and 0 + 1/4 degree roll).
B. The dripstick consists of a fiberglass tube, calibrated in
inches, with a sealing head at one end, which locks into an
adaptor in the wing lower surface (skin or access panel). The
corresponding dripsticks in tanks No. 1 and 3 are the same
length with the dripsticks becoming progressively shorter from
inboard to outboard locations. Tank No. 2 dripstick is longer
than the other dripsticks and, therefore, is not
interchangeable with them.
C. When the sealing head is unlocked and the dripstick withdrawn
slowly from the tank, fuel enters the top of the stick (tube)
and runs down a small drip hole near the base. At the moment
fuel appears, the reading opposite the calibration plane in the
inner well (not skin line) should be noted ( Ref. Fig. 1 ).
This reading is the depth, in inches, of fuel in the tank. To
find the tank fuel quantity in gallons, the dripstick reading
is compared with a special conversion chart, which compensates
for deviation of airplane form the level attitude. The attitude

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of the airplane is determined with a special attitude gauge

described in Chapter 8, Leveling. When a reading has been
completed, the dripstick head is inserted into the adapter and
locked by rotating clockwise to a stop. The dripsticks will
only indicate fuel quantity when fuel quantity is about 130
gallons in No. 1 and 3 tanks, and above 110 gallons in No. 2
tank.
CAUTION : READ DRIPSTICK CALIBRATION FROM TOP OF STICK DOWN.
DRIPSTICK CALIBRATION INCREASES NUMERICALLY FROM TOP
OF STICK.
8. Operation
A. Power for the operation of the fuel quantity indicating system
is 115 volts ac, obtained from circuit breaker panel P6-2 with
one or more engines running. To energize the system without
operating the engines, power may be obtained from an alternate
power source - external power cart or the APU. Placing the
fueling power switch to "ON" position, operates the fueling
transfer relay and transfers the power from the airplane system
to alternate power source ( Ref. Fig. 2 ). This transfer
feature is provided so that the fueling operation can be
carried out without power being supplied to the entire
electrical distribution system on the airplane. Fuel quantity
indicators on third crewman"s lower panel operate on either
power; while fueling quantity indicators operate only on
alternate power, and only with the fueling power switch in "ON"
position.
B. The tank units act as variable capacitors; their capacitance
value is determined by fuel level and dielectric strength of
the fuel in the tank. They are connected into a capacitance
bridge so that current through the tank unit side of the bridge
is compared to a current of opposite phase in the balancing
side of the bridge. A change in fuel level alters capacitance
value of the tank unit and causes unbalance in the bridge
circuit, which is detected by a phase sensitive amplifier.
C. The fuel quantity indicator performs a capacitance measurement
using a sine wave. The fuel quantity indicator microcomputer
feeds a sine wave to the tank units and a sine wave that is 180
degrees out of phase with the tank unit sine wave to the
compensator unit. The microcomputer measures the capacitance of
the tank units, then measures the capacitance of the

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compensator. Using these two values, it calculates and displays

fuel mass.
D. The microcomputer monitors the fuel quantity indicating system
and provides an error indication and code to assist in trouble
shooting.

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Fuel Quantity Indicating System Equipment Location

Figure 1 (Sheet 1)

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Figure 1 (Sheet 2)
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Figure 1 (Sheet 3)
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Figure 1 (Sheet 4)
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Fuel Quantity Indicating System Schematic

Figure 2 (Sheet 1)

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28-41-000-0 Digital Fuel Quantity Indicating System

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B727 AMM - DIGITAL FUEL QUANTITY INDICATING

SYSTEM - DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

A. The tank units are variable capacitors, which are mounted

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

A. Digital fuel quantity indicators on P4 panel show the weight of

B. To clear any stored error codes, including those stored by

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

A. Fueling quantity indicators of the P15 panel show the weight of

NOTE : When fueling quantity indicator test switch on P15 panel

C. Operation of the fuel quantity indicators can be tested by the

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

fueling valve switches must be in the OPEN position. When the

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

of the airplane is determined with a special attitude gauge

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

compensator. Using these two values, it calculates and displays

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

Fuel Quantity Indicating System Equipment Location

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

Fuel Quantity Indicating System Equipment Location

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

Fuel Quantity Indicating System Equipment Location

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

Fuel Quantity Indicating System Equipment Location

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

Fuel Quantity Indicating System Schematic

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

P.Blk EFFECTIVITY: ALL 28-41-000-0

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