WIDAS

WIDAS 2.0 Summary of the Lectromec Wire Insulation Degradation Analysis System (WIDAS): It assesses the degradation of polyimide (trade name Kapton®) insulated wires and projects remaining service life (wire insulation degradation assessments of other insulations are also available). It is an assessment technique that identifies the impact of maintenance and polymer degradation on the remaining […] Read more

EWIS Investigation

If you are in a position where there is a need to assess the condition of an aircraft’s wire system, there are several options. To determine the impact of wire problems with the fleet, maintenance logs and interviews with support staff are recommended. Also a viable option is to closely examine the existing wiring systems […] Read more

The “Big 3” aircraft wire system degradation assessment options

April 9, 2014 Michael Traskos

If you have concerns about aircraft wire system degradation and need to assess the condition of an aircraft’s wire system, there are several options. For those looking for opens and shorts type faults, HiPot and/or Time Domain Relectometer (TDR) equipment are great options. To determine the impact of wire problems with the fleet, maintenance logs […] Read more

Aircraft wiring: Polyimide wire life projection

September 25, 2012 Michael Traskos

Polyimide wire (commonly referred by the trade name, Kapton®), is the mustard colored kind of aircraft wiring that can be found in older civilian and commercial aircraft made before the 1995. Similarly to other wires, it degrades over time. However, unlike other common aircraft wire insulations, the damage that it causes through electrical arc tracking […] Read more

What to look for with composite aircraft wire aging

August 13, 2011 Michael Traskos

This article continues the theme of identifying different kinds of wire aging, by describing the signs indicating when a composite wire is starting to age. Read more

FAA wire incidents report: October and November 2008

January 1, 2009 Lectromec Team

The following are the wire incidents reported in the FAA’s October 2008 Advisory Circular 43-16A – Alert Number 363 and November 2008 Advisory Circular 43-16A – Alert Number and 364. Incident #1 DASSAULT Dassault: 900B; Failed Circuit Breaker; ATA 2400 A repair station report states: While troubleshooting AC electrical outlets for being inoperative,(we) removed a […] Read more

XL-ETFE and ETFE for aircraft wire compared

March 1, 2007 Lectromec Team

XL-ETFE and ETFE are not the same. ETFE (or commonly referred in the industry as Tefzel®) is a well known material used in the aircraft and space industry. In fact, ETFE is a widely used material in applications as diverse as automotive fuel systems to greenhouse films. ETFE has a long history of use as electrical […] Read more

Understanding aircraft wire differentiation to improve EWIS

July 1, 2005 Lectromec Team

The amount of aircraft wire on a civil aircraft has increased in recent decades such that today’s typical aircraft has hundreds of miles of wire connecting all of its subsystems. The increase in the amount of wire on an aircraft, coupled with weight concerns, has lead to progressively thinner and lighter insulation materials. Wires used on […] Read more

The life of an aircraft wire and aircraft wire degradation

February 1, 2004 Lectromec Team

Aircraft age and new problems develop that impact the life of an aircraft wire. Fatigue, corrosion, and wire degradation are the three major causes of concern. Wiring degradation causes intermittent malfunctions and can pose a smoke and fire hazard. A Wire Maintenance Program allows the aircraft maintenance department to be sure that the wiring has not become […] Read more

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