EMBRAER 120 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 Fuel System
 
SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The fuel system supplies fuel at flow and pressure rates as required for the engine and APU
operation. The fuel is contained in wing tanks.
Each wing has two independent integral tanks, namely the outboard tank and the inboard tank,
which are separated by the main landing gear wheelwell and interconnected by tubes for grav-
ity fuel transfer. The inboard tank has a subdivision named collector tank, which is located in the
lowest region of the inboard tank and houses the fuel pumps.

CAPACITY
The following figures represent the amount of usable and unusable fuel:

Usable Fuel (each wing)

Gallons/Pounds* Liters/Kilograms**
441/2955 1670/1340

Unusable Fuel (each wing)

Gallons/Pounds* Liters/Kilograms**
3.7/24.8 14/11.2

* Fuel density = 6.7 pound per gallon.

** Fuel density = 0.8029 kilograms per liter.

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Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
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FUEL TANK

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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
FUEL FEED SYSTEM

FUEL PUMPS
Each fuel tank has a main jet fuel pump and two electric fuel booster pumps installed in the col-
lector tank. They are responsible for feeding fuel to the engine and APU. In addition, each tank
has two scavenger pumps located in the inboard tank which are responsible for supplying fuel
to the collector tank.
The main jet pump is capable of supplying the required fuel to the engine and APU, except dur-
ing start, crossfeed operation, or when the APU is on and the right engine is inoperative.
The electric booster pumps are identified as FRONT and REAR on the fuel panel.

FIREWALL SHUTOFF VALVE

The firewall shutoff valve is commaned through the corresponding fire-extinguishing handle.
When actuated, it cuts fuel supply to the associated engine.

FUEL CROSSFEED SHUTOFF VALVE

The engine fuel manifolds are interconnected with the use of the crossfeed valve. The valve
provides a means of directing fuel to both engines from any tank.

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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
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FUEL FEED SCHEMATIC

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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
16–05I–010

FUEL FEED PANEL

(OVERHEAD PANEL)

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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
PRESSURE REFUELING/DEFUELING

Pressure refueling and defueling are accomplished at the fueling panel, located on the right
wing underside.
Refueling operation may be accomplished with the airplane either energized or not. When the
airplane is energized, the system operation will be enabled:
– By selecting the MAN position of the REFUELING MASTER switch and the OPEN position of
the SHUTOFF VALVE switch or;
– By selecting the AUTO position of the REFUELING MASTER switch and by setting the bug of
the quantity indicators.

CAUTION: PRESSURE REFUELING WITH THE AIRPLANE BUSES DEENERGIZED IS NOT

RECOMMENDED, SINCE NO INDICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE FUEL-
ING PANEL. IN THE EVENT OF ANY VENT VALVE FAILURE IN THE CLOSED
POSITION, STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WING MAY OCCUR.

The defueling is performed by using the same adapter as used in the refueling system. Fuel
tanks are defueled by means of the electric booster pumps via electrically-operated defuel
valves which are controlled from the fueling panel. Suction pressure, from a ground equipment,
up to 0.5 psig, may be applied to the adapter to increase the defueling flow rate.
For detailed defueling instructions, see Maintenance Manual.

GRAVITY REFUELING/DEFUELING

Gravity refueling is accomplished through a filler cap at the wing upper surface.
Manual defueling is accomplished through a dump valve installed on the lower surface of each
inboard tank.

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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
16–05I–010

REFUELING/DEFUELING SYSTEM SCHEMATIC

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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
16–05I–010

FUELING PANEL
(RIGHT UNDERWING)

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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
FUEL MANAGEMENT PANEL

FUEL TOTALIZER
Provides either total fuel used or fuel remaining indications. The desired function is obtained by
pressing the FCTN button. The alphanumeric display will alternate between FU (fuel used) or
FR (fuel remaining) each time the button is pressed. The corresponding quantity is shown on
the numeric display (the last digit is fixed at zero).
To reset the total fuel used, FU function must be selected and, while the alpha display shows
FU, the fuel used register can be reset to zero by pulling the PULL TO SET knob. This knob
must be held pulled out for at least three seconds.
When the alpha display is in FR, the fuel remaining register can be initialized by pulling the
PULL TO SET knob. The initial value is set equal to the total fuel quantity instrument indication.
The knob must be held at least three seconds.
Manual fuel remaining reading adjustment can be accomplished by rotating the PULL TO SET
knob from its mid position. Clockwise rotation will increase the value and counterclockwise rota-
tion will decrease the value. The display change rate is determined by how far the knob is
rotated.
To prevent improper readings due to power transients or memory error, a check-sum test is
constantly made. If an error is detected, the display will show ER. In order to reset the error
condition, the FCTN button must be pressed. Alpha display will show then FR, and the numeric
display will show "0000". After an error is reset, the system must be initialized again to show
proper reading. Alpha and numeric indication is blank for power or signal loss.

ENGINE No. 1 AND No. 2 FUEL FLOW INDICATORS

Analogically and digitally indicate the fuel flow mass, in pounds (or kilograms) per hour. The left
fuel flow indicator is connected to DC bus 1 and the right fuel flow to DC bus 2. If a DC bus fails,
the respective fuel flow indicator will be inoperative.

LEFT AND RIGHT TANK FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS

Indicate the remaining usable fuel quantity in the tank. Pressing the test button in the refueling/
defueling panel will cause the cockpit fuel quantity indicators to rotate clockwise to full scale.
The left fuel quantity indicator is connected to DC bus 1 and the right fuel quantity is connected
to DC bus 2. In the case of a DC bus failure, the fuel quantity indicator will be inoperative.

CROSS FEED OPEN INDICATOR LIGHT

The CROSS FEED OPEN white light on the fuel management panel, and the white OPEN light,
on the fuel feed panel, indicate when the crossfeed valve is fully open.
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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
16–05I–010

FUEL MANAGEMENT PANEL

(FORWARD PANEL)

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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT QUANTITY MEASURING SYSTEM (DRIPLESS STICK)

The aircraft is equipped with a direct quantity measuring system, comprising four measuring
points located under the wing. Each measuring point is provided with a magnetic float, which
holds a calibrated stick. When it reaches the fuel level, the stick provides a visual check of the
fuel quantity in each wing.
To determine the usable fuel quantity in one of the wings, it is advisable to start at point No. 4
(wing tip) and proceed in the direction of the wing root until reaching the most outboard point
which is not at the lower stop (zero reading). For a correct reading, press and turn the stick,
allowing it to lower smoothly until the stick is held by the magnetic float. Next, enter the value
indicated on the scale in the Direct Measuring System Table. Two sets of tables are presented:
one in US Gallon and pound, and the other in liter and kilogram.
Fuel quantity readings should be performed with the aircraft laterally leveled, as checked
through the ADI inclinometer.

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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°
NOTE: The accuracy for U.S. readings is ± 2.6 U.S. Gal.
The values in pounds are valid for fuel densities between 6.68
and 6.84 lb/U.S. Gal. In this case the reading accuracy is
± 44 lb. For fuel densities out of this range, multiply the vol-
ume in U.S. Gal by the actual fuel density to find the mass in
pounds.

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound
0.1 62. 418. 133. 904. 191. 1296. 257. 1738.
0.2 63. 425. 135. 911. 193. 1305. 258. 1747.
0.3 64. 433. 136. 918. 194. 1314. 259. 1757.
0.4 65. 440. 137. 925. 195. 1323. 261. 1766.
0.5 66. 448. 138. 932. 197. 1332. 262. 1775.
0.6 67. 455. 139. 940. 198. 1340. 263. 1784.
0.7 68. 462. 140. 947. 199. 1349. 265. 1794.
0.8 69. 470. 141. 954. 200. 1358. 266. 1803.
0.9 70. 477. 142. 961. 202. 1367. 267. 1812.
1.0 72. 485. 143. 968. 203. 1376. 269. 1821.
1.1 73. 492. 144. 975. 204. 1384. 270. 1831.
1.2 74. 500. 145. 982. 206. 1393. 272. 1840.
1.3 75. 507. 146. 989. 207. 1402. 273. 1849.
1.4 76. 515. 147. 996. 208. 1411. 274. 1858.
1.5 77. 522. 148. 1003. 210. 1420. 276. 1868.
1.6 78. 530. 149. 1010. 211. 1428. 277. 1877.
1.7 79. 537. 150. 1017. 212. 1437. 278. 1886.
1.8 80. 544. 151. 1024. 213. 1446. 280. 1895.
1.9 81. 552. 152. 1031. 215. 1455. 281. 1905.
2.0 83. 559. 153. 1038. 216. 1464. 282. 1914.
2.1 84. 567. 154. 1045. 217. 1472. 284. 1923.
2.2 85. 574. 155. 1052. 219. 1481. 285. 1932.
2.3 86. 582. 156. 1059. 220. 1490. 287. 1942.
2.4 87. 589. 157. 1066. 221. 1499. 288. 1951.
2.5 88. 597. 158. 1073. 222. 1508. 289. 1960.
2.6 89. 604. 159. 1080. 224. 1516. 291. 1969.
2.7 90. 612. 160. 1087. 225. 1525. 292. 1979.
2.8 91. 619. 161. 1094. 226. 1534. 293. 1988.
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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound
2.9 92. 627. 162. 1101. 228. 1543. 295. 1997.
3.0 94. 634. 164. 1108. 229. 1552. 296. 2006.
3.1 95. 641. 165. 1115. 230. 1560. 297. 2016.
3.2 96. 649. 166. 1122. 232. 1569. 299. 2025.
3.3 97. 656. 167. 1129. 233. 1578. 300. 2034.
3.4 98. 664. 168. 1136. 234. 1587. 302. 2043.
3.5 99. 671. 169. 1143. 235. 1595. 303. 2053.
3.6 100. 679. 170. 1150. 237. 1604. 304. 2062.
3.7 101. 686. 171. 1157. 238. 1613. 306. 2071.
3.8 102. 694. 172. 1164. 239. 1622. 307. 2080.
3.9 103. 701. 173. 1171. 241. 1631. 308. 2090.
4.0 105. 709. 174. 1178. 242. 1639. 310. 2099.
4.1 106. 716. 175. 1185. 243. 1648. 311. 2108.
4.2 107. 723. 176. 1192. 245. 1657. 312. 2117.
4.3 108. 731. 177. 1199. 246. 1666. 314. 2127.
4.4 109. 738. 178. 1206. 247. 1675. 315. 2136.
4.5 110. 746. 179. 1213. 248. 1683. 317. 2145.
4.6 111. 753. 180. 1220. 250. 1692. 318. 2154.
4.7 112. 761. 181. 1227. 251. 1701. 319. 2164.
4.8 113. 768. 182. 1234. 252. 1710. 321. 2173.
4.9 114. 776. 183. 1241. 254. 1719. 322. 2182.
5.0 116. 783. 184. 1248. 255. 1727. 323. 2191.
5.1 117. 791. 185. 1255. 256. 1736. 325. 2201.
5.2 118. 798. 186. 1262. 258. 1745. 326. 2210.
5.3 119. 806. 187. 1269. 259. 1754. 327. 2219.
5.4 120. 813. 188. 1276. 260. 1763. 329. 2228.
5.5 121. 820. 189. 1283. 261. 1771. 330. 2238.
5.6 122. 828. 190. 1290. 263. 1780.
5.7 123. 835. 191. 1297. 264. 1789.
5.8 124. 843. 193. 1304. 265. 1798.
5.9 125. 850. 194. 1312. 267. 1807.
6.0 127. 858. 195. 1319. 268. 1815.
6.1 128. 865. 196. 1326. 269. 1824.
6.2 129. 873. 197. 1333. 271. 1833.
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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound US Gal pound
6.3 130. 880. 198. 1340. 272. 1842.
6.4 131. 888. 199. 1347. 273. 1851.
6.5 132. 895. 200. 1354. 274. 1859.
6.6 133. 902. 201. 1361.
6.7 134. 910. 202. 1368.
6.8 135. 917. 203. 1375.
6.9 136. 925. 204. 1382.
7.0 138. 932. 205. 1389.
7.1 139. 940. 206. 1396.
7.2 140. 947. 207. 1403.
7.3 141. 955. 208. 1410.
7.4 142. 962. 209. 1417.
7.5 143. 970. 210. 1424.
7.6 144. 977.
7.7 145. 985.
7.8 146. 992.
7.9 147. 999.
8.0 149. 1007.
8.1 150. 1014.
8.2 151. 1022.
8.3 152. 1029.
8.4 153. 1037.
8.5 154. 1044.
8.6 155. 1052.
8.7 156. 1059.
8.8 157. 1067.
8.9 159. 1074.
9.0 160. 1081.
9.1 161. 1089.
9.2 162. 1096.
9.3 163. 1104.
9.4 164. 1111.
9.5 165. 1119.
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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°
NOTE: Assumed fuel density: 0.785 kg/l.
For other fuel densities, multiply the volume in liters by the
actual fuel density, to find the mass in kilograms.

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG
0.1 233 183 505 396 724 568 971 762
0.2 238 187 509 399 729 572 976 766
0.3 242 190 513 403 734 576 981 770
0.4 246 193 517 406 739 580 986 774
0.5 250 196 521 409 744 584 992 779
0.6 254 199 525 412 749 588 997 783
0.7 258 203 529 415 754 592 1002 787
0.8 263 206 533 418 759 596 1007 790
0.9 267 209 537 421 764 600 1012 794
1.0 271 212 541 425 768 603 1017 798
1.1 275 215 544 427 773 607 1023 803
1.2 279 219 548 430 778 611 1028 807
1.3 283 222 552 433 783 615 1033 811
1.4 288 226 556 436 788 619 1038 815
1.5 292 229 560 440 793 623 1043 819
1.6 296 232 564 443 798 626 1048 823
1.7 300 236 568 446 803 630 1054 827
1.8 304 239 572 449 808 634 1059 831
1.9 308 242 576 452 813 638 1064 835
2.0 312 245 580 455 818 642 1069 839
2.1 317 249 584 458 823 646 1047 843
2.2 321 252 588 462 827 649 1080 848
2.3 325 255 592 465 832 653 1085 852
2.4 329 258 595 467 837 657 1090 856
2.5 333 261 599 470 842 661 1095 860
2.6 337 265 603 473 847 665 1100 864
2.7 342 268 607 476 852 669 1105 867
2.8 346 272 611 480 857 673 1111 872
2.9 350 275 615 483 862 677 1116 876
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 SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG
3.0 354 278 619 486 867 681 1121 880
3.1 358 281 623 489 872 685 1126 884
3.2 362 284 627 492 877 688 1131 888
3.3 367 288 631 495 881 692 1136 892
3.4 371 291 635 498 886 696 1142 896
3.5 375 294 639 502 891 699 1147 900
3.6 379 298 642 504 896 703 1152 904
3.7 383 301 646 507 901 707 1157 908
3.8 387 304 650 510 906 711 1162 912
3.9 392 308 654 513 911 715 1167 916
4.0 396 311 658 517 916 719 1173 921
4.1 400 314 662 520 921 723 1178 925
4.2 404 317 666 523 926 727 1183 929
4.3 408 320 670 526 931 731 1188 933
4.4 413 324 674 529 936 735 1193 937
4.5 417 327 678 532 940 738 1198 940
4.6 421 330 682 535 945 742 1204 945
4.7 425 334 686 539 950 746 1208 948
4.8 429 337 690 542 955 750 1214 953
4.9 433 340 693 544 960 754 1219 957
5.0 438 344 697 547 965 758 1224 961
5.1 442 347 701 550 970 761 1229 965
5.2 446 350 705 553 975 765 1235 969
5.3 450 353 709 557 980 769 1240 973
5.4 454 356 713 560 985 773 1245 977
5.5 458 360 717 563 990 777 1250 981
5.6 463 363 721 566 995 781
5.7 467 367 725 569 999 784
5.8 471 370 729 572 1004 788
5.9 475 373 733 575 1009 792
6.0 479 376 737 579 1014 796
6.1 483 379 741 582 1019 800
6.2 488 383 744 584 1024 804
6.3 492 386 748 587 1029 808
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SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
Embraer 120 - Systems Summary [Fuel System] DO NOT USE FOR FLIGHT
FUEL SYSTEM

OPERATIONS MANUAL
DIRECT MEASURING SYSTEM TABLE – (Roll: 0°; Pitch: 0° + 2° )
– 2°

STICK FUEL QUANTITY (USABLE)

STICK
INDICATION STICK 1 STICK 2 STICK 3 STICK 4
LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG LITER KG
6.4 496 389 752 590 1034 812
6.5 500 393 756 593 1039 816
6.6 504 396 760 597
6.7 508 399 764 600
6.8 513 403 768 603
6.9 517 406 772 606
7.0 521 409 776 609
7.1 525 412 780 612
7.2 529 415 784 615
7.3 533 418 788 619
7.4 538 422 791 621
7.5 542 425 795 624
7.6 546 429
7.7 550 432
7.8 554 435
7.9 558 438
8.0 563 442
8.1 567 445
8.2 571 448
8.3 575 451
8.4 579 455
8.5 583 458
8.6 588 462
8.7 592 465
8.8 596 468
8.9 600 471
9.0 604 474
9.1 608 477
9.2 613 481
9.3 617 484
9.4 621 487
9.5 625 491
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