Scrape Abrasion At Temperature

One of the most common means for wire failure is through insulation chafing. In operating conditions, wires/cables are exposed to various sharp edges on aircraft that can quickly deteriorate the insulation integrity. This test assesses the wire/cable’s insulation durability to sharp edges at elevated temperatures. The sample is placed into an elevated temperature enclosure and […] Read more

Flammability

Flammability is perhaps one of the most common and most important tests performed on aerospace wiring. This is why every modern wire/cable type has some requirement for flammability assessment. In general, a length of the wire/cable under test is placed in a draft-free chamber and hung free over a high-temperature flame for 30 seconds – […] Read more

Bend Test

This test is used to determine the insulation elasticity and propagation of damage through the wire/cable insulation. A wire/cable’s insulation should be sufficiently elastic so that if the wire is bent, there is little risk of the insulation cracking and jeopardizing the insulation integrity. A less elastic wire insulation is more likely that it will […] Read more

Life Cycle

Exposure to temperatures greater than a wire/cable’s rating can occur for a variety of reasons such as burst air duct, over current, or equipment failure. For well-designed wire/cable systems, the short duration elevated temperature exposure should not impact the insulation integrity. This test is performed to ensure that the wire temperature rating is not at […] Read more

Dielectric Withstand Voltage – Connectors

The connector is among the most vulnerable parts of the electrical system to the dielectric breakdown. The repeat mating and demating of connectors can wear couplings and pins and can introduce damage to the protective insulating inserts as well as contaminates. This test examines a connector’s dielectric strength at a given voltage level. In particular, […] Read more

Voltage Proof Test

This test (often called the dielectric voltage withstand) determines the dielectric integrity of the cable insulation. Dielectric integrity is determined by placing the wire/cable in a water bath. An AC voltage potential is applied across the insulation between a wire/cable conductor and the ground. This test is typically run as part of posttest assessment procedures […] Read more

Corona Extinction Voltage

High voltage spikes onto wires/cables can progressively degrade the insulation performance and lead to an insulation breach and/or create conductive paths through the insulation. Wires/cables with consistent insulation systems and without air gaps or voids in the insulation will typically have a higher corona inception voltage and a higher extinction voltage. The higher the voltage […] Read more

Tensile Strength and Elongation of Conductors

This method is intended for use in determining the tensile strength and percentage elongation at break of conductors (minor changes are necessary if the test is to be performed on a finished wire or cable).This test may be used on conductors either before application of insulation or after application with the insulation removed. The insulation […] Read more

Cold Bend Test

This test determines the resistance of wire insulation to cracking at low temperatures while being bent around a mandrel. Using a special cold chamber, we can condition the specimen at the low temperatures that can be experienced during flight and study how it reacts to extreme conditions. This is a very good way to determine […] Read more

Dry Arc Propagation Resistance

The dry arc-resistance test for wire insulation provides an assessment of the ability of an insulation to prevent damage in an electrical arc environment. In service, electrical arcs may originate from a variety of factors including insulation deterioration, faulty installation, and chafing. It has been documented that results of an arc-propagation test may vary slightly […] Read more

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