Aircraft GPU, bridge, apron and fixed ground power systems
Airport Ground Power Cable Solutions for GPU, FEGP & PCA
Design the cable around the aircraft interface, current, route length and handling system. This solution connects 400Hz and 28VDC ground power duties to GPU carts, passenger boarding bridges, FEGP, PCA, reels, retrievers and aircraft connectors.
- 400Hz AC and 28VDC
- GPU, FEGP, PCA and bridge
- Reel, retriever and connector
Choose by system duty, not by name alone
Use this page to narrow the cable route before comparing a product model or submitting a specification.
Start with the equipment
Identify the machine, circuit function, route and the consequence of cable failure at that location.
Define the complete duty
State voltage or transmission needs together with movement, bending, load, fluids, temperature and installation exposure.
Confirm one construction
Review conductor or fibre elements, screens, reinforcement, sheath, termination, standards and documentation as one schedule.
Match the cable to the equipment and route
The correct cable assembly depends on where power is converted, how the cable reaches the aircraft and how often operators extend, retract, drag or reel it across the apron.
Mobile GPU carts
Flexible 400Hz or 28VDC connections handled on the apron, exposed to dragging, fuel, weather and vehicle activity.
Passenger boarding bridges
Cable assemblies integrated with bridge movement, cable retrievers and aircraft parking positions.
Fixed electrical ground power
FEGP and frequency-converter routes that combine feeder, service cable, connector and voltage-drop requirements.
PCA and combined bridge systems
Power and pre-conditioned air equipment routes where cable movement, storage and service access must be coordinated.
Cable reels and retrievers
Repeated winding duty defined by drum diameter, cable weight, layers, speed, bend radius and pull force.
Hangar and maintenance areas
Ground power and grounding routes for indoor or semi-exposed maintenance positions and service equipment.
Define the conditions that control cable life
Airport ground power cable is a system component. Voltage drop, connector temperature, cable handling and the reel or retriever can be as important as the nominal 400Hz or 28VDC rating.
Confirm aircraft load, cable length, conductor size, phase balance, sense wires and allowable voltage at the connector.
Define dragging, banded or single-jacket construction, reel, basket, retriever and minimum bend radius.
State aircraft plug type, molded or replaceable design, control contacts, interlock and termination arrangement.
Check fuel, oil, abrasion, UV, water, cold, heat, vehicle traffic and visibility or marking needs.
Compare suitable cable-family routes
Select AC or DC service first, then define the cable geometry, connector, handling system, control conductors and environmental resistance.
400Hz aircraft GPU cables
Flexible AC ground power routes from mobile or fixed converters to aircraft, checked for load, length and connector interface.
View 400Hz aircraft cable28VDC ground power cables
High-current DC service cable for aircraft and GSE, selected around voltage drop, conductor size and connector temperature.
View 28VDC cableCable assemblies and connectors
Complete cable-and-plug routes with specified length, aircraft connector, control contacts and field service needs.
View GPU cable assemblyBanded and single-jacket cable
Alternative handling constructions selected by flexibility, repair strategy, weight, abrasion and airport operating practice.
View Tripleflex cableDrum and retriever cables
Cable constructions for repeated reel or retriever cycles on bridges and fixed ground power equipment.
View retriever cableFeeder and static installation
Fixed or semi-fixed routes between electrical equipment and service points, separated from the flexible aircraft connection.
View 400Hz feeder cableTurn the application into a cable selection route
Use the matrix to identify the next technical route. Final construction follows the complete project schedule and operating inputs.
| Equipment or Route | Cable System | Inputs to Confirm | Selection Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile aircraft GPU | 400Hz or 28VDC flexible service cable | AC/DC, aircraft load, cable length, plug, dragging, fuel and weather | GPU cable family |
| Passenger boarding bridge | 400Hz assembly with retriever | Bridge travel, retriever force, connector, storage, length and control contacts | Drum/retriever cable |
| Fixed ground power system | Feeder plus aircraft service cable | Converter location, feeder route, voltage drop, service length and connector | FEGP cable system |
| 400Hz cable assembly | Complete cable and aircraft connector | Current, phase/core arrangement, plug style, molded end, controls and length | 400Hz assembly |
| 28VDC aircraft service | Heavy-current DC cable | Current, length, conductor size, polarity, connector and heat rise | 28VDC cable |
| Aircraft grounding | Grounding or refueling cable | Conductor, clamp, reel, length, abrasion and site procedure | Grounding cable |
Engineering and test references
References are selected for the confirmed construction and project duty. The quotation and inspection plan define the applicable methods, conditions and acceptance values.
Reference 1
Aircraft and GSE interface requirements checked against the connector, converter and airport equipment specification.
Reference 2
400Hz conductor layout, control contacts and voltage-drop limits confirmed with the system designer or tender.
Reference 3
Flame, low-smoke, oil, abrasion and weather requirements applied only where the exact cable construction supports them.
Reference 4
Inspection, marking, connector and assembly test documents agreed before production.
From operating data to an agreed cable schedule
The process keeps equipment, cable construction, interfaces and documentation aligned before production.
Share the operating duty
Provide the equipment, electrical or transmission services, movement, route and environment.
Review the cable route
Separate circuit functions and compare the constructions that fit the operating duty.
Confirm the technical schedule
Agree the construction, dimensions, interfaces, standards, inspection stages and document list.
Manufacture and inspect
Production, marking, packing and agreed inspection follow the confirmed order specification.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to common questions before a project-specific cable review.
Is a 400 Hz aircraft cable the same as a 28 VDC ground cable?
No. They serve different electrical systems and are selected around the aircraft interface, voltage, current, conductor arrangement, length, connector and handling method.
Why does cable length matter for aircraft ground power?
Cable length affects voltage drop, resistance, weight and handling. The current, conductor size, ambient conditions, bundling and connection interfaces should be reviewed together.
How do reels and retrievers affect cable construction?
Drum diameter, bend radius, winding layers, travel, tension and repeated handling influence conductor flexibility, reinforcement and jacket selection.
What should be sent for a GPU or FEGP cable review?
Provide the aircraft or equipment interface, 400 Hz or DC service, voltage, current, cable length, conductor arrangement, connector, reel or bridge system, temperature, abrasion and fluid exposure, quantity and required documents.
Send the inputs needed for a useful cable review
Include the information available now. Drawings, old cable markings, cross-section photos and project specifications can be attached through the enquiry form.
- Service: 400Hz AC, 28VDC or another specified aircraft ground power system
- Aircraft load, voltage, current, allowable voltage drop and duty cycle
- Cable length, conductor size, core arrangement, control cores and sense wires
- Configuration: single jacket, banded, symmetrical, feeder, reel or retriever
- Aircraft connector or plug type, molded or replaceable end and control contacts
- GPU cart, bridge, FEGP, PCA, apron, hangar, reel or drum installation
- PUR, rubber, LSOH, fuel, oil, abrasion, UV, water and temperature requirements
- Quantity, assembly test, marking, packing, delivery country and document list