Flex Endurance Test Basics

November 6, 2022 Chris Wollbrink

While most wire installed in an aircraft is placed in static conditions, there are still several harnesses that must support regular flexing. Applications such as landing gears, wiring attached to panels/doors, and flight control surfaces have regular flexing. What is the best approach to selecting and verifying wires/cables for these applications? It turns out that there are several options. Read more

Heat Shrink Tubing Tests

September 30, 2022 Laura Wishart

Heat shrink tubing is a very commonly used component in Electrical Wiring Integration Systems (EWIS). Just as with any other component of an aircraft wiring system, heat shrink tubing must withstand extensive severe testing before being approved for use. This article reviews select standards and methods for heat shrink tubing testing. Read more

SAE April 2022 Update

July 25, 2022 Michael Traskos

After two unsuccessful attempts to meet in person, the SAE AE-8A/D committee met to update standards whose progress has been slowed over the last two years. Read more

AIR7502 and Future Implications for Aviation

July 8, 2022 Laura Wishart

The AIR7502 defines voltage levels for HV aircraft and components. The extent to which AIR7502 is incorporated into the aerospace industry remains unsure, but the implications of the document are worth considering even before the document’s use is determined. 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

Verification and Validation

November 1, 2021 Devon Gonteski

Amidst the manufacturing process, a structured system of quality assurance is of utmost importance; implementation of a standardized evaluation system is key to ensuring that whatever is being made is up par for its certain usage. In the world of technology and manufacturing, the evaluative journey of a product from start to finish is broken up into multiple segments.

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

Detailed Discussion of MIL-STD-1353 (Part 1): Tin Plating

April 21, 2021 Laura Wishart

The mating of the electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) is a non-trivial task. Between the functional requirements (the correct number of pins, sizing of contacts, etc.), there are also the performance requirements (operational environment, corrosion resistance, impedance matching, etc.). This is then further complicated by installation requirements (sizing), maintenance requirements (mating/demating cycles), and regulatory requirements (limitations of materials that can be used). Obviously, adding a connector to a wire harness is not a five-second activity. This article looks at the MIL-STD-1353 specific requirements for tin usage in aircraft connectors. Read more

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