CFR 25.1717 – Circuit Protection and EWIS

June 30, 2023 Laura Wishart

Circuit protective devices are circuit components whose purpose is to disconnect power to the circuit in the event of a fault condition. The fault conditions vary based on the circuit type, attached equipment, and power capacity of the attached circuit. Some common fault conditions include overheating, overcurrent, and electrical arcing.

To meet the diverse needs of varying circuit designs and functions across electrical systems, several types of circuit protection are available. Each type has benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to evaluate each to determine the best option for a given electrical system. 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

What do advanced arc fault circuit protection devices protect?

March 16, 2016 Michael Traskos

The use of circuit protection devices is a fundamental part of circuit design; it is difficult to think of systems without them. For the aircraft industry, thermal circuit protection devices have been the primary circuit protection components for decades, and there is good reason for this: flight crew and maintenance personnel are familiar with their operation, and they are reliable and relatively low cost. Read more

Aircraft solid state power distribution with Fred Potter

August 3, 2015 John Gilroy

Today’s interview is with Fred Potter, Chief Engineer at Astronics AES. He has worked in complex engineering projects since he got his bachelors of science in electrical engineering from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. During the discussion Fred uses his decades of experience in electronics, systems engineering, and engineering management to talk about aerospace wire system technology. […] Read more

Implications of circuit breakers and wire size for wire systems

June 27, 2011 Michael Traskos

Circuit breakers are designed to activate (open the circuit) when the electrical current is in excess of the device rating. This is done to protect both the electrical device and the wiring. As such, it is important to size the circuit breaker to meet the electrical needs of the circuit as well as prevent overheating and damage to the wiring. This article lists the factors that affect the wire/circuit breaker selection. Read more

Circuit Breaker