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Technology update
Electrical wiring protection system
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Eaton Corp. has received a contract from two federal agencies for the development of electrical wiring protection systems for both commercial and military aircraft. The $1 million contract from the FAA and U.S. Navy calls for Eaton to adapt the company's proprietary arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) technology to the miniature circuit breakers in an aircraft's 400 Hz electrical system.
The company will develop 20 AFCIs, and the associated test procedures for use on aircraft such as the DC-9, operated by both the military and commercial airlines. Initial target applications are for nonflight-critical circuits but, according to Eaton, the technology could be used throughout the entire aircraft. "More importantly, is the expectation that AFCI will lead to early warning of arcing originating in aircraft electrical circuits and provide a new level of safety for passengers and aircraft flight crews," said Alexander Cutler, Eaton President and COO.
Intermittent electrical arcing on aircraft could be flash points for fires. Electrical arcing occurs as a result of mechanical wear, environmental effects, and thermal stress on wire insulation. AFCIs use integrated electronics to diagnose when arcing or "jumping" occurs in a wiring system, then act immediately to shut down the circuit. Because most aircraft wiring is hidden or not easily accessible, remote detection is considered a particularly important safety feature.
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering June 2000
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