7.7.3 EWIS Flashcards
(88 cards)
What is becoming increasingly important for aircraft operation?
The safe and economic operation of an aircraft is becoming ever more dependent on electrical and electronic systems.
What must be treated as an integral part of the aircraft?
Electrical wires and cables must be treated as an integral part of the aircraft, requiring careful installation.
What are Line Replaceable Units (LRUs)?
In all modern aircraft, individual systems and computers are housed in Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), modules, and card files.
What is the main consideration for an aircraft wiring system?
The main consideration for an aircraft wiring system is reliability.
What does the performance and safety of the aircraft depend on?
The performance and safety of the aircraft, its crew, and its passengers depend on the correct functioning and integrity of an electrical circuit under all flight conditions.
What is done to ensure maximum reliability of aircraft wires and cables?
Stringent tests are applied to ensure that they are all of maximum reliability.
How are electrical power supplies routed in aircraft?
Electrical power supplies, as well as system inputs/outputs, are routed and distributed to the LRU racks and fed with information from their respected sensors or power busses.
What factors define the specifications of wires and cables in aircraft?
Specifications are defined by the type of power, current, signal, voltage environment, and use.
What are some typical uses and considerations for aircraft wiring?
Power supplied, analogue voltage output environment, sensor output resistance changes, discrete ground inputs, formatted data exchange, HIRF protection, RF energy inputs, size and miniature connection, high-temperature areas, environmental considerations, rack and panel connections, fire-wire.
What must be checked during maintenance of interconnected wiring?
Each of the individual requirements and specifications of all the cables, wiring, and connections involved in that wiring network or system need to be checked.
What can cause overheating of wires and cables?
Wires and cables must be protected from overload conditions that can lead to overheating, causing the release of toxic fumes and possibly leading to a fire.
What has been realized about current maintenance practices?
Regulators and industry groups have realized that current maintenance practices cannot be adequate to address the ageing of non-structural systems.
What factors can increase the probability of wire degradation?
Inadequate maintenance, contamination, improper repair, or mechanical damage can increase the probability of degradation.
What were some findings from reviews of service history regarding electrical installations?
Concerns about in-service continuing airworthiness of electrical installations were revealed, partly due to a lack of rigorous design and certification code.
What were the major contributory factors in the TWA Flight 800 and Swissair 111 accidents?
Wiring was found to be a major contributory factor in both accidents.
What contaminants were found on wiring during inspections?
Wiring was contaminated with dust, dirt, metal shavings, lavatory wastewater, coffee, soft drinks, and napkins.
What is a potential risk from dust found on wire bundles?
Dust can provide combustible material and increase the risk of a fire.
What can cause collateral damage to wiring?
Maintenance performed on other aircraft systems or repairs to the structure can cause collateral damage to wiring.
What committee was tasked with examining ageing aircraft systems?
The Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC) was tasked with this examination.
What is EWIS?
EWIS covers areas of the build, maintenance practices, inspection, cleaning, and repair of electrical cables and the interconnecting system.
What must each EWIS component be designed for?
Each EWIS component must be of a design appropriate to its intended function.
What are the three documents issued by EASA for EWIS maintenance?
AMC 20-21, AMC 20-22, and AMC 20-23.
What is the purpose of wire separation in aircraft?
The purpose of wire separation is to prevent hazards of interference between wires or between electrical and non-electrical systems.
What must EWIS be designed to minimize?
EWIS must be designed and installed to minimize damage and the risk of damage to EWIS by passengers, crew members, baggage, and maintenance personnel.