Getting the Most Value from Wire System Degradation Assessments

November 6, 2017 Michael Traskos

Task four of military handbook MIL-HDBK-525 (also incorporated into the mechanical subsystems integrity program standard MIL-STD-1798) outlines a set of considerations and procedures for the assessment of an aircraft electrical system specifically for the service life extension program (SLEP). The important factor is to ensure that resources are not wasted on this effort and that […] Read more

Evaluating Secondary Wire Harness Protection Performance

October 4, 2017 Michael Traskos

There are several reasons to deploy secondary harness protection (SHP): chafe protection, maintenance protection, fire protection, harness cable management and, in some cases, arc protection. The EN6059-502 test examines secondary harness protections and the potential damage from arcing. This article runs through the test method and problems that could occur if the results are misinterpreted. […] Read more

Fall 2017 SAE Wire and Cable Meeting Update

September 27, 2017 Michael Traskos

Every six months, the SAE wire system installation and wire/cable subcommittees come together to advance the state of the industry. This year, the Fall meeting was held in sunny Temecula, California. The following are some of the noteworthy items from this meeting. High Voltage Endurance The 8D task group on the evaluation of high voltage […] Read more

Selecting the Right Wires and Cables

August 30, 2017 Michael Traskos

In reviewing Lectromec’s articles, one can find over 250 articles covering different segments of aerospace wiring systems and lifecycle. For some, this may be an overload of information. But, if these articles were consolidated to their fundamentals, one can conclude that by selecting the right parts, installing them the right way, and doing the right […] Read more

Fuel System Protection Part II

July 19, 2017 Michael Traskos

Lectromec has written multiple articles on fuel system safety as it relates to SFAR88, AC 25.981, and AC 25.1701. In this article, we continue the discussion by reviewing some of the recommendations that came out of the NTSB report on TWA 800 and subsequently influenced AC 25.981. Some of these recommendations may not apply to […] Read more

How to Derate a Wire Harness

May 19, 2017 Michael Traskos

One of the question that we frequently receive at Lectromec is regarding the derating of wire harnesses. For those unfamiliar with the topic, we have covered this extensively in past articles. The quick summary of this is that due to the temperature rating of a wire, there is only a certain amount of electrical current […] Read more

Signs of an Aging Wiring System

May 1, 2017 Michael Traskos

All components wear out over time, but the rate at which they degrade will vary depending on the quality of the product, how is it handled, and the environmental conditions in which the component is installed. To consider all the potential ways that an EWIS can fail, it can be overwhelming. As a brief list […] Read more

Space Certified Wires and Cables

March 9, 2017 Michael Traskos

In the last three months, Lectromec has been asked numerous times about “Space Certified Wires” (SCW). The basic premise of these questions has been whether there is a defined set of criteria that would show a wire or cable is suitable for space applications. The primary concern raised is can there be a single set […] Read more

Meeting Requirements for EWIS Certification

October 14, 2016 Michael Traskos

There are more than 17 parts to the FAA’s Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) regulations enumerated in the 25.1700 series. To show compliance with each of these regulations require a thorough subject area understanding. More so, as the EWIS evolves in design, it becomes clear that achieving EWIS certification requires a lot of data. If […] Read more

Standard Practice for Maintenance of Aircraft Electrical Wiring Systems

September 2, 2016 Michael Traskos

An industry as broad as the aerospace industry will have a variety of standards and recommended practices. The hope is that each standard brings something new through either a higher level of requirements or by providing better guidance to achieve a reliable aircraft. The ASTM Standard F2799 was written with the intention of being, “used […] Read more

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