By: Michael Traskos

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?

Addressing the Big Questions of Partial Discharge

June 11, 2021 Michael Traskos

In this high-voltage present, wires and cables must address new challenges, perhaps the most notable is partial discharge (also referred to as corona). This article discusses the fundamentals of partial discharge, its impacts on wiring design, and test methods used to assess a component’s partial discharge performance. The PD may occur between (1) the conductor and insulation, (2) within void in the insulation, (3) between insulation layers, or (4) between the insulation surface and shield. Read more

Integrating EWIS into Fleet Sustainment and MECSIP

May 6, 2021 Michael Traskos

While the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) evaluations and sustainment requirements have been part of the Mechanical Equipment and Subsystems Integrity Program (MECSIP) since 2013, it is only just recently that EWIS elements are part of performance measurements. This webinar, presented by Lectromec, provides an excellent opportunity to improve your understanding of EWIS, EWIS requirements, and highlights a path for better and more cost-effective EWIS evaluation. Read more

Electric Aircraft Design Considerations

March 18, 2021 Michael Traskos

Electrical energy storage has reached a point where it is possible for the manned vehicle propulsion to use non-petroleum based energy. To achieve this goal, it has required a lot of research, design, and innovation that has pushed these vehicles to depend on high voltage electrical power systems and forego the use of hydraulics and pneumatics. If electrical aircraft are the aircraft of the future, what are the design factors that the EWIS community will have to address? Read more

Impacts of Sanitizing Fluids on Wiring

December 8, 2020 Michael Traskos

Key Takeaways COVID-19 has resulted in a higher concentration of sanitizing products being used on aircraft. The FAA has released special airworthiness information bulletins highlighting the concerns with the application of sanitizers on aircraft. An internal Lectromec study was performed to determine effects of sanitizing fluids on wires. Wire and cable are exposed to a […] Read more

New Means to Assess Corrosion Susceptibility

November 2, 2020 Michael Traskos

Low outgassing materials are critical for space applications. As one might imagine, a small, enclosed space with outgassing materials is not an ideal environment. To that end, space system developers have always sought insulation constructions with low outgassing properties. In past articles, Lectromec has covered the developments of the methods and materials used to reduce outgassing. Here, we examine the latest testing techniques for these materials. Read more

WPAFB Wire Study

October 14, 2020 Michael Traskos

Key Takeaways Publicly available recorded data compares many of the commonly used aerospace wire types. Corona extinction and inception voltages of cables decrease drastically with an increase of elevation. Many insulation types display a significant decrease in mechanical durability at increased temperatures. Modern wires of the AS22759 family are incapable of stopping 270 voltage DC […] Read more

IEEE 1584-Arc Standard

September 16, 2020 Michael Traskos

Key Takeaways IEEE 1584 provides a basis and a model for arc flash protection and necessary safe separation distance. The standard targeted the necessary calculations for power distribution. While there is some overlap with the aerospace industry wiring system requirements, the model’s range inhibits its use for aircraft. Research down an unfamiliar path often includes […] Read more

Conductor Resistance ASTM B193

August 13, 2020 Michael Traskos

The measurement of resistance seems to be a trivial task. Hook up a standard handheld multimeter with two probes and attach the probes to either side of the device or component that you want to measure. For the most part, this process works well. More correctly, for devices with resistances between 2 Ohms and 1M Ohm, this is a good technique, however, once the resistance values get really high or really low, the process becomes a little more complicated. While the basic physics remains the same (Voltage = Current * Resistance), getting the setup to correctly measure the component requires attention to detail. Read more