Implications of circuit breakers and wire size for wire systems

June 27, 2011 Michael Traskos

Circuit breakers are designed to activate (open the circuit) when the electrical current is in excess of the device rating. This is done to protect both the electrical device and the wiring. As such, it is important to size the circuit breaker to meet the electrical needs of the circuit as well as prevent overheating and damage to the wiring. This article lists the factors that affect the wire/circuit breaker selection. Read more

When should you consider adopting an aircraft wire life extension program? Part II

June 22, 2011 Michael Traskos

This is the second in a series of articles addressing the concepts associated with an Electrical Wire Interconnection System (EWIS) analysis of aging aircraft. In other words, when to consider an aircraft wire life extension program. The last article addressed the reasons to consider implementing EWIS assessment as part of a wire life extension program. This article […] Read more

When should you consider adopting an aircraft wire life extension program? Part I

June 6, 2011 Michael Traskos

Editor’s Note: This is the first part in a series of articles that addresses the needs of EWIS analysis and aging aircraft. In the course of planning for your aircraft wire life extension program, eventually it becomes necessary to considering the wire system health. Like all other system components, wires (particularly the wire insulation) degrade […] Read more

Electrical arcing of aircraft wire is hazardous even over separation

May 30, 2011 Michael Traskos

Research shows hydraulic line can be punctured without direct contact with arcing wire Recent research conducted by Lectromec confirmed the harmful effects of electrical arcing of aircraft wire events even in the presence of positive separation between the arcing source and the arcing target. Laboratory tests using hydraulic lines as arcing targets showed that, even […] Read more

XL-ETFE aircraft wire degradation

May 30, 2011 Michael Traskos

XL-ETFE insulated wires can be found on many commercial and military aircraft built since the 1980s and need to be included in the study of XL-ETFE aircraft wire degradation. As such, some aircraft have been operating for 30 years with the same wiring. The question that becomes more important with each passing day is the […] Read more

EZAP, the FAA, and the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS)

May 17, 2011 Michael Traskos

The Enhanced Zonal Awareness procedure (EZAP) was introduced to the aviation industry that applies to Electrical Wire Interconnection System in 2005 was part of the FAA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that covered new requirements for the assessments of new and existing aircraft (the final rule was enacted in 2007). This required existing fleet operators […] Read more

Aircraft wire insulation degradation and advancements with WIDAS 2.0

May 5, 2011 Michael Traskos

A fundamental principle of wire analysis technologies has been the fact that wire insulations degrade over time. To this end, Lectromec developed the first generation of the Wire Insulation Degradation Analysis System (WIDAS) in the early 1990’s. The WIDAS targeted the particular needs of aircraft operators who needed a scientific basis for making fleet maintenance […] Read more

ETFE vs XL-ETFE vs PTFE: What’s best for wire circuit protection?

April 5, 2011 Michael Traskos

One reader of the blog asked Lectromec to compare products for wire circuit protection. A couple of the common wire insulations on the market are based on the PTFE and ETFE polymers. PTFE (DuPont trade name Teflon®) is a fluorocarbon and is constructed with carbon and fluorine atoms, whereas ETFE is a carbon, fluorine, and […] Read more

An overview of the “Big 2” wiring insulations: PTFE and ETFE

February 28, 2011 Michael Traskos

Editors Note: Article updated August 29, 2014 Most aerospace wiring insulations on the market are based on the PTFE or ETFE polymers. These polymers have a high corrosion resistance and strength and excellent dielectric properties that make them perfect for use in aircraft and radio wiring. PTFE (DuPont trade name Teflon®) is a fluorocarbon and […] Read more

EWIS evaluation of F-16

May 1, 2007 Michael Traskos

You may ask about EWIS evaluation of aircraft of a F-16. The results of recent testing indicated a rate of 5.4 breaches per 1000 feet of wire tested. Lectromec and InterConnect Wiring, at the 10th Aging Aircraft Conference, delivered a report describing a recently completed series of tests to evaluate the status of wire harnesses removed […] Read more

By: Michael Traskos