Research

270VDC arcing in aircraft wiring

April 15, 2014 Michael Traskos

In a recent presentation to the SAE at the biannual meeting, Lectromec presented a summary of the work that was performed by several companies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last summer. These tests were performed at the FAA’s Technical Center in Atlantic City on 270VDC in aircraft wiring. There were four test objectives: Perform […] Read more

2 EWIS insights from a presentation at the AIAA conference

March 23, 2014 Michael Traskos

Th 51st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference was held on January 2010 and included presentations of a wide range of technical papers. From the perspective of EWIS, authors McCabe and Cyphers reported on A Study of Over-Current Protection, Electrical Arcing, and Fire Protection. Their research objective was to gather data for ballistic threats […] Read more

Aircraft EWIS high voltage testing considerations

March 21, 2014 Michael Traskos

There are two factors that need to be considered when using aerospace wires/cables for higher voltage systems: (1) Determining the long-term insulation life impacts of high voltage utilization, and (2) the impact that high voltage testers may have through repeat high potential testing. In this article we will focus on the second factor. Read more

High voltage systems on aircraft

May 24, 2013 Michael Traskos

Aerospace Information Report (AIR) 6127 currently being developed by the SAE AE-7 committee provides a framework for designing high voltage subsystems utilized for More Electric Aircraft (MEA). The AIR identifies design risks, mitigation techniques, and testing methods for MEA. Electrical discharges on MEA are a potential risk that should be mitigated through careful design and […] Read more

Flammability for Aircraft Wiring

November 5, 2012 Michael Traskos

Among the multitude of new wire qualification tests is the wire flammability test for aircraft wiring. This article covers a test that is designed to assess a wire insulation’s ability to: 1) limit the burn length when exposed to a flame; 2) have no molten material drop from the sample; and 3) not ignite. Read more

Does the mixing of different aircraft wire types create problems?

February 14, 2012 Michael Traskos

Modifications or additions to an aircraft wire will typically require (at least in some locations) the addition of new wire constructions to existing bundles. The concern that some have had is that, by mixing the different wire insulation constructions, it can create increased chaffing between wires, which can lead to premature failure of the wire […] Read more

Aircraft wire degradation and new research on red plague

November 20, 2011 Michael Traskos

We have addressed the red plague concept behind the aircraft wire degradation process in the For wire systems, there is no perfect conductor, not even a silver plated one article. However, since this issue has been spurring a new level of interest every five years, we are updating you on the new developments. To briefly […] Read more

Results of intrusive inspection on aircraft wire systems

July 23, 2011 Michael Traskos

In the Basic concepts of Wire Degradation article, we reviewed the degradation of wire insulation from a laboratory perspective. This article discusses some the findings of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Intrusive Inspection Project fact-finding committee with information on aircraft wire systems. One of the most thorough publicly available sources for understanding the aging of […] Read more

Basic concepts in understanding aircraft wire degradation

July 19, 2011 Michael Traskos

Aircraft wire degradation often means a reduction in a wire insulation’s ability to withstand physical, electrical, or chemical strain. Such reductions can lead to insulation breaches, which can result in system interruption. All modern wire insulations are long chains of molecules called polymers. Over time, due to various types of stress, there is wire degradation. […] 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