EWIS High Voltage Certification

April 14, 2022 Michael Traskos

With the gradual industry implementation of high voltage EWIS systems in aviation, the demand for HV-specific safety standards is rapidly growing. High voltage OEMs currently use available industry standards, as applicable, but are still left with the task of developing and justifying their own system requirements. The SAE’s AS50881 standard, often considered the ‘go-to’ standard for OEMs, could benefit from proposed updates made to address the gaps for high voltage systems. Read more

Life-Limiting High Voltage Parts

March 15, 2022 Michael Traskos

Life-Limited EWIS parts can be useful where high voltage conditions make component degradation rates uncertain. Though accelerated aging can offer insight to the component’s condition, further observations of high-voltage systems will be needed for accurate degradation predictions. Read more

ICA Guidance for HIRF and Lightning Protection

February 21, 2022 Laura Wishart

The advisory circular 33.4-3, issued by the FAA offers guidance for developing adequate ICA for an aircraft’s HIRF and lighting protection functions. Read more

The Longevity of High Voltage Components

February 7, 2022 Michael Traskos

What does a wire need to do in the high voltage system, and how does it need to perform? This article reviews some of the fundamental concepts involved and what needs to be done to show a wire is compliant with the vehicle’s requirements. Read more

S&T 2021 Meeting Report

January 20, 2022 Laura Wishart

A discussion covering the topics of interest presented at the FAA’s annual S&T meeting in 2021. Read more

An Over-Current of Christmas Joy

December 21, 2021 Lectromec Team

Nearing the end of 2021 we wanted to share one last wire experiment. Please enjoy Lectromec’s Over-Current of Christmas Joy. Happy Holidays! – the Lectromec team Read more

AS23053 Dimensional Life of Heat Shrink Tubing

December 15, 2021 Laura Wishart

We are told that low humidity and cool temperatures are the best way to extend component life, but even in such conditions not all components can sit on a warehouse shelf indefinitely awaiting the day of installation. One of the more susceptible EWIS components to aging on the warehouse shelf are heat shrink tubing. Here, we examine concept of dimensional life of heat shrink tubing.

Low Temperature Bend Testing for Lunar Applications

November 30, 2021 Laura Wishart

NASA sought to evaluate wire and cable flexibility for lunar applications; specifically looking to evaluate the ease of reeling/unreeling wire and cable in lunar environments. Bend testing was performed on 35 different insulated wire and cable constructions at liquid nitrogen temperature to evaluate flexibility in extreme cold conditions. It was the intent of this effort that, “testing at the extreme cold temperature of liquid nitrogen will begin to build a database of what off-the-shelf types of wires and eventually cabling may be applicable to the lunar environment.” Read more

Risk Assessment and Small Aircraft Certification

November 17, 2021 Michael Traskos

The basic idea behind the F3230 is to limit the total number of assessments to those that are of particular concern for aircraft safety. This aligns with the change of part 23 aircraft the FAA has implemented for a more performance-based certification approach versus the detailed and prescriptive approach that the FAA used prior to 2016. Read more

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