It's pretty much that, except by the fact that pilots are not authorized to touch those buttons in any circunstances. They automatically pop if a high voltage flows through the circuit, avoiding that a specific system get damaged by excecive voltage. If that happens, the pilot cannot reset them. Only the maintenace crew on the ground can operate the CBs.

No, a circuit breaker pops when excessive current flows through the protected circuit, not when excessive voltage is present.Different aircraft and different operators have specific rules covering when a C/B can be reset or used to depower a circuit. For example, in many (most?) transport-category aircraft, if an electrical fire occurs, the checklists will direct the pilot/engineer to isolate the fire by methodically depowering/repowering components and/or busses by pulling/resetting circuit breakers.RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

No, a circuit breaker pops when excessive current flows through the protected circuit, not when excessive voltage is present.

Well, I know that CB prevents damage by something in excess, but I didn't remember if it was by current or voltage and I don't understand much about electricity so... Wrong guess. Sorry about that.

Different aircraft and different operators have specific rules covering when a C/B can be reset or used to depower a circuit. For example, in many (most?) transport-category aircraft, if an electrical fire occurs, the checklists will direct the pilot/engineer to isolate the fire by methodically depowering/repowering components and/or busses by pulling/resetting circuit breakers.

And I said "no pilot" because Randazzo himself told me several pages ago about this 'rule' that a pilot can't reset CBs anymore.Here is what he said:

Matheus-You are correct that crews are almost NEVER instructed to move CBs without the input of maintenance controllers on the ground. When I first began flying the general principle was "reset a popped CB one time, ONLY."This changed however as a result of some fairly high profile electrical fires onboard airplanes. The guidance given to flight crew now is to call maintenance control if a CB trips, and NEVER change a CB position without their input.

As I said by then and Ryan also confirmed is that almost no item in the QRH or in any other manual instructs a pilot to change CBs position.

Jon,We're glad you like the model and yes I did put serious hours into the external model. I've lost track of the hours but I'll tell you this, its not just me, its a team effort. Yes I'm responsible for the NGX exterior model, but I could not have done it with the team's help, Vin's been an excellent mentor (when I'm stuck on something or have questions about the modeling program, he's the one that I bug), Pete has been more than my eyes when it came to creating the masters. He has put a lot of his touches on the textures and of course there's the rest of the team's valuable feedback. So its not just me, its everybody else and I hate to take credit for the exterior model. We went all out on the exterior model and there are lots of details you just have to find!Cheers,

Jason,Thanks for the reply, good to hear you're not at it all alone. Wish I could be the proverbial fly on the wall while you guys work. One thing I can assure you is that I will enjoy every moment while I search out all those little details. I'm a sucker for attention to detail and this plane is like a wet dream for that!

And I said "no pilot" because Randazzo himself told me several pages ago about this 'rule' that a pilot can't reset CBs anymore.As I said by then and Ryan also confirmed is that almost no item in the QRH or in any other manual instructs a pilot to change CBs position.

Keep in mind that this can still vary by airline/aircraft and that RSR said almost never. It could just be a rule at his company. There may be situations that warrant immediate crew action; especially if an electrical fire develops and they know pulling a particular breaker (if maybe it jammed) will help. Also if something required for flight popped, sometimes they are allowed 1 reset just to see if it was a one off. This could be determined by how critical to the flight vs. the risk of resetting the breaker. In the end, if it's an emergency, the crew can do whatever they need to ensure the safety of the flight. Usually that's the only time you need to screw with the CBs anyway.

Keep in mind that this can still vary by airline/aircraft and that RSR said almost never. It could just be a rule at his company. There may be situations that warrant immediate crew action; especially if an electrical fire develops and they know pulling a particular breaker (if maybe it jammed) will help. Also if something required for flight popped, sometimes they are allowed 1 reset just to see if it was a one off. This could be determined by how critical to the flight vs. the risk of resetting the breaker. In the end, if it's an emergency, the crew can do whatever they need to ensure the safety of the flight. Usually that's the only time you need to screw with the CBs anyway.

With the planes that are out these days there really is no breaker that is a necessity for the remainder of a flight. I can't really think of one of the top of my head that really NEEDS to be reset.JackColwill

With the planes that are out these days there really is no breaker that is a necessity for the remainder of a flight. I can't really think of one of the top of my head that really NEEDS to be reset.JackColwill

Off the top of my head:1. A weather radar r/t approaching an island destination at night with a line of convective weather between me and it.2. Pressurization system C/B when carrying a patient that requires cabin press at sea level (i.e. scuba diver suffering CNS sypmtoms from decompression sickness)3. Radar altimeter c/b when approaching an area socked in with Cat II weather4. Multiple unrelated tripped C/Bs after a lightning strike.5. Landing light c/b for low-vis night landing6. Bus feeder breaker after isolation/deactivation/removal of faulting componentIn any of the above I'd consider resetting the breaker one time (assuming there were no aggravating circumstances like fire, smoke, sparks, bus voltage drops etc)CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

You forgot to mention the most important cb to attempt to reset in the event of a fault. 10Amp Coffee Maker.....JR

I don't want to be picking, but when there is talk about CB, will they be fully modeled and clickable in VC/2D with proper system respond? And how about random electrical failures?Don't take this seriously, i know its imposible, but it would be cool having this. We finally would properly follow checklist Circuit breakers.............. All in. :)

You forgot to mention the most important cb to attempt to reset in the event of a fault. 10Amp Coffee Maker.....JR

That's a handwritted addition to our MEL at my company!!

Just out of curiousity, how many here use home cockpits? Has anyone used pmdg aircraft with there cockpits?

Can't wait to start-up the engines of the 737NGX :(- I've cut out the cockpit of one of the pmdg screenshots and paste in into one of my own screenshots just for fun. I'm able to post it or it's against copyrights?

With the planes that are out these days there really is no breaker that is a necessity for the remainder of a flight. I can't really think of one of the top of my head that really NEEDS to be reset.JackColwill

You should rethink your theory. I might be wrong, but there's a CB for almost every system in the airplane. Some are of minor importance, but others can inactivate important systems, like the FMS or flight controls.

I don't want to be picking, but when there is talk about CB, will they be fully modeled and clickable in VC/2D with proper system respond? And how about random electrical failures?Don't take this seriously, i know its imposible, but it would be cool having this. We finally would properly follow checklist Circuit breakers.............. All in. :)

Actually it's possible to simulate CBs in FSX. I asked Ryan about this around page 13 and he told me it's possible, but would take another 6 months to develop. Here's what he told me:

Matheus,The only thing I can really think of is circuit breaker logic - that's just something that's of little value to anyone outside of an actual airline training office (there's hardly anything at all in the QRH that involves them also - Boeing does not want flight crews messing with breakers) and it's extremely complex to program. We could do it but it would literally add 6+ months to the project.Straight out of the QRH:"Flight crew cycling (pulling and resetting) of a circuit breaker to clear a non-normal condition is not recommended."

We don't want to delay the NGX for 6 months, do we??? :(

You should rethink your theory. I might be wrong, but there's a CB for almost every system in the airplane. Some are of minor importance, but others can inactivate important systems, like the FMS or flight controls.Actually it's possible to simulate CBs in FSX. I asked Ryan about this around page 13 and he told me it's possible, but would take another 6 months to develop. Here's what he told me: We don't want to delay the NGX for 6 months, do we??? :(

What the..?!! please, not another delay!! I think the NGX took enough time, and it's nearly finished. I know that PMDG says that if only 1 detail isn't there, it's not finished.But please, do not delay this baby for 6 months! Then there proberly will be the new game microsoft flight and some other great aircrafts.We all saw the pictures of the interior and the exterior. And all I can tell you guys is that I think this baby is ready for Roll-Out! ;)

Well, NGX is delayed for about 6 months now, so it really doesn't matter They could do it in SP or something

i have heard the ngx will have a new wingflex-system? is that true, i mean, will we see this realistic shaking of the wings while taxing?...and will there be a flight video sometime?