Electric Systems

Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems, headquartered in Rockford, Ill., is the industry leader in electric power systems for commercial, regional, business, and military aircraft. Products include main and emergency power generation, power conversion and motor control, power distribution, and aircraft utilities management. Our products are complemented by our system design expertise which enables us to offer innovative physical and functional integration concepts that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of aircraft electric systems. 

Electric power generation requirements vary with the needs of the aircraft. Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems is uniquely able to offer optimum solutions with a complete range of electric power generation options including constant and variable frequency ac and high voltage dc systems.  For more electric aircraft applications, we also offer main engine and auxiliary power electric starting. There are currently two production aircraft programs featuring main engine electric start and Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems is the electric system supplier for both.

Electric Systems comprises the following subsidiaries: Page Aerospace Ltd. and HS Elektronik Systeme GmbH. 

Page Aerospace Ltd. is a leading original equipment supplier of signage and cabin lighting systems for commercial and military aircraft. Headquartered in Sunbury, UK with an office in Bremen, Germany, the company has two distinct product sectors: the lighting and power sector and controls sector. Products in the lighting and power sector include exit markers, multi-legend signs, toilet occupied indication, and no-smoking and fasten seat belt signs. Page Aerospace Limited also supplies floor path emergency escape lighting for both aircraft and cruise ships. In the controls sector, products include fly-by-wire control sticks, engine fire shut-off switches, landing gear controls and cockpit warning panels.

HS Elektronik Systeme GmbH is located in Nordlingen, Germany designs and manufactures Intelligent Power Modules. These power modules, Solid State Power Controllers (SSPC) and Solid State Relays (SSR), power distribution modules and power supplies are predominantly used in power generation and primary and secondary power distribution systems in aircraft, but also in motor drives and jet engine controls. The company builds its own product-specific test equipment and has its very own model shop. Burn-in, thermal cycling, temperature and EMI pre-compliance testing as well as constant acceleration testing are performed in-house. A team of highly qualified engineers and technicians is responsible for the design, development and production. The dedicated staff and highly trained employees provide the flexibility to quickly respond to customers' needs.

In normal aircraft operation, the propulsion engines drive the generators that produce electric power.  In extremely rare cases, catastrophic events on-aircraft have resulted in total loss of engine power or generator output.  Hamilton Sundstrand’s emergency power systems have enabled critical aircraft systems to continue operating until the aircraft was safely landed.  To date, more than 1,600 lives have been saved in 15 different occurrences.