AS50881 and Connectors

June 3, 2024 Michael Traskos

Amidst the vast amount of aerospace standards, AS50881 stands out as a comprehensive guide to requirements to ensure wire termination safety specifically in connector installation and design. In this article, we discuss some of the important guidelines for connector installation, separation, and identification covered by AS50881. Read more

An Introduction to AS50881

June 30, 2021 Michael Traskos

For the last 17 years, Lectromec publications have discussed items related to the aerospace wiring installation standard AS50881. The standard is often referenced in many of our articles, but Lectromec has never really talked about what this standard is, why it should be used, who should use the standard, and what should be considered when the standard is employed.

To remedy this oversight, this article seeks to address the question many come to ask when approaching EWIS: why should I care about AS50881?

AS50881 and EN3197 Harmonization

December 14, 2017 Tristan Epp Schmidt

Working from a common knowledge base is critical for part interoperability. Take a standard screw; to install it requires a screwdriver (Phillips or Flathead), lining the screw up with the hole, and rotating clockwise to drive the screw. The screw works the same in Europe as it does in America, though the measurements might be […] Read more

Testing for AS50881

September 23, 2016 Michael Traskos

For several decades now, the AS50881 has been a fundamental knowledge base used for the installation of aircraft wiring systems. The requirements laid out in this standard cover the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) design and recommendations on the selection of qualified parts. Additionally, the design must be verified to show compliance. For commercial aircraft, this may be done as part of the overall certification package. For the military, this may be part of design acceptance. This article covers some of the testing necessary for showing compliance with AS50881.

Aluminum Conductors

September 5, 2024 Michael Traskos

While there are benefits to replacing copper wires with aluminum, parts selection must align with the specific installation requirements. Here, we discuss the fundamentals of aluminum conductors, their limitations as described by aerospace standards, and techniques for their implementation. Read more

Understanding Filter line Cables: Purpose, Construction, and Key Concepts

July 15, 2024 Michael Traskos

The primary purpose of filter line cables is to minimize EMI and RFI, which are prevalent in environments with high levels of electromagnetic noise. In this article we discuss the unique construction and application of filter line cable to better understand how these cables can be utilized in high-interference environments to protect electrical signals. Read more

Insertion Loss and Attenuation

March 14, 2024 Michael Traskos

Insertion loss and attenuation are similar concepts, but one is assigned to a single component (insertion loss) whereas the other is assigned to generalized performance (attenuation). In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences of these concepts and how proper testing of each can ensure reliability in signal transmission. Read more

The Use of Splices

February 20, 2024 Michael Traskos

Though useful in repairs and modification, overuse of splices can lead to serious electrical and mechanical problems in an electrical system. This article discusses the applications and restrictions of electrical splices on aircraft. Read more

Protected Harness Design

January 30, 2024 Michael Traskos

Wiring harness protection materials address needs such as fire protection, physical damage protection, chemical protection, and wire management but may also present challenges such as overheating or difficulty of access for maintenance activities. In this article, we elaborate on some of the common uses of added harness protection and address many of the benefits and drawbacks of open vs protected harnesses. Read more

Minimum Coaxial Cable Bend Radius

November 15, 2023 Megan Chambellan

The impact of a coaxial cable’s bend radius is not well defined from an initial evaluation standpoint. Standard restriction on the minimum bend radius for coaxial cables has remained unchanged for over 40 years whereas materials and construction methods have seen great improvement. In this article, Lectromec measures the attenuation of a modern coaxial cable at different bend radii to identify the severity of the impact a tighter bend radius has on the performance of the cable. Read more

Search