A320 ovhd panel question
 

Simple question about ovhd panel. Is there any specific technical/ops reason for the ELAC1, SEC2,SEC3 to be on the CM1 side and ELAC2,FAC1,FAC2 on the CM2 side?

You will actually find CM1 - ELAC 1, SEC 1, FAC 1

CM2 - ELAC2, SEC2, SEC3, FAC2

I am sure they have their reasons. considering FAC 1+2 off dumps the aircraft into alt law perhaps it is good thing to force a conscious effort to reach across.

Thats the main reason. So you cannot switch all the ELACS or FACs off by mistake.

Take a look at FCOM DSC-27-20-50 "BUS EQUIPMENT LIST".
It is the power source. ;)

So now we get into a chicken and egg situation. Which came first the over head panel design or the power source design?

Power source design follows the general rule to split the source if you have more than one system due to prevent total system loss by loosing one power. There is no chicken/egg situation...

I mentioned this scenario to a colleague and he told me that one would be in Direct Law if anything and would have MAN PITCH TRIM ONLY - and left and right with the rudder, based on: All ELACS off and FACS and SECS too.

Any takers?

Doesn't really tell us anything about the positioning of the switches on the Over Head Panel. After all the separate power supplies for the ADIRUs are all on the left side of the panel.

@ Jonty
If you level up some simple push button switches with the CDU (Control and Display Unit) of the ADIRS, i do not think that you are open for any other explanations... :sad:

Natstrackalpha
The phrase you are looking for is Mechanical Backup.

Thats right

Direct Law = MAN PITCH TRIM
Mechanical Backup = MAN PITCH TRIM ONLY

ELACs/SECs/FACs
 

Humbly, thank you Gennelmen. I did not correlate what I studied with what was happening.