Circuit protective devices are circuit components whose purpose is to disconnect power to the circuit in the event of a fault condition. The fault conditions vary based on the circuit type, attached equipment, and power capacity of the attached circuit. Some common fault conditions include overheating, overcurrent, and electrical arcing.
To meet the diverse needs of varying circuit designs and functions across electrical systems, several types of circuit protection are available. Each type has benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to evaluate each to determine the best option for a given electrical system. Read more
From fuel to hydraulic oil to sodas, aircraft wires and cables are exposed to a wide range of fluids and, generally, the insulations must not show degradation that would impact their airworthiness. Material compatibility is important for all parts of the aircraft and the wiring system is no exception. The means to assess material compatibility between fluids and wires/cables is done with fluid immersion testing.
Fluid immersion testing is straightforward but requires a lot of materials, a lot of prep work, and a lot of hands-on attention to detail. The fundamental idea of fluid immersion testing is for components to be submerged in the fluid and observed for any changes to the material or components. Some test details and the impacts of the test results are covered here.
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