CASA B-06c Aircraft Electrical Hardware Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering aircraft electrical hardware, wire types, connectors, and maintenance standards as defined in the CASA B-06c module.

Level 1 Knowledge Indicator

The applicant should be familiar with basic elements, able to give a simple description using common words and examples, and use typical terms.

Level 2 Knowledge Indicator

A general knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects, including using mathematical formulae with physical laws, reading sketches and drawings, and applying knowledge using detailed procedures.

Level 3 Knowledge Indicator

A detailed knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects, including the capacity to combine separate elements in a logical manner and apply corrective action using manufacturer's instructions.

Insulated Wire

A metal conductor covered with a dielectric or insulating material, usually containing stranded conductors for flexibility.

Copper Wire

A non-magnetic, malleable, and corrosion-resistant conductor that bends and shapes easily due to a smaller cross-sectional area compared to equivalent aluminium conductors.

Aluminium Wire

A non-magnetic conductor used for high current over long distances to provide approximately a $50\%$ weight saving, though it is susceptible to work-hardening and crystallization.

Specific Electrical Resistance

The value for copper is $1.73\,\mu\Omega/cm$ and the value for aluminium is $2.8\,\mu\Omega/cm$.

Conductor Plating

Materials such as tin, silver, or nickel used to coat aircraft wiring to minimize oxidation degradation caused by temperature and pressure variations.

American Wire Gauge (AWG)

The system used to measure aircraft wire size, where larger numbers represent smaller wires; typical sizes range from $24$ AWG ($0.51\,mm$ diameter) to $0000$ or $4/0$ AWG ($11.7\,mm$ diameter).

Insulation Resistance

The resistance to current leakage through insulation materials, measured with an insulation tester (megger) to determine condition.

Bonding

A process that grounds aircraft components to protect against static/electrostatic charge build-up and hazard protection from lightning strike discharge.

Shielding

A method of intercepting electrical energy and shunting it to electrical ground to prevent magnetic field interference from AC or pulsating DC.

Airframe Wire

Wire designed for component interconnection in the airframe, usually normal or medium weight with two insulation coverings for abrasion protection.

Interconnect/Hook-up Cable

Lightweight cable with a single insulation layer designed for use inside the protection of the fuselage.

Equipment Wire

Standard wire intended for use within Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), often featuring more strands for flexibility and materials that promote good solder joints.

Fire Resistant Cable

Wire designed for flight critical circuits that must retain insulation in temperatures up to $1093\,^{\circ}C$ ($2000\,^{\circ}F$) for a period of $30$ minutes.

High Temperature Cable

Wire often defined by having a temperature rating of $125\,^{\circ}C$ or higher, though some manufacturers use ratings as low as $90\,^{\circ}C$.

Thermocouple Cable

A pair of dissimilar metallic conductors (such as Iron-constantan or Alumel-Chromel) used to detect and measure temperature changes.

High Tension Cable

A wire or cable defined by an operating voltage over $600\,\text{volts}$, commonly used in engine ignition systems.

Coaxial Cable

A cable containing two conductors (a centre conductor and an outer braided shield) separated by a dielectric, classified by its impedance (commonly $75\,\Omega$ or $50\,\Omega$).

Triaxial Cable

A cable consisting of a central signal wire, a first shield acting as a signal return, and a second shield for grounding external noise.

Crimping

The process of joining a conductor to a terminal or contact barrel through physical compression without the use of solder.

Total Indicator Reading (TIR)

A measure of the total deviation from a true centre line when an item is rotated through $360\,^{\circ}$; used to evaluate axial deformation of contacts after crimping.

MS and AN Connectors

United States military specifications (Military Specification and Army-Navy) used to standardize electrical connectors in aircraft.

Bayonet Coupling

A self-locking connector coupling method employing three pins spaced $120\,^{\circ}$ apart on the receptacle perimeter.

Threaded Coupling

A connector coupling method that uses internally threaded rings and typically requires lock-wiring in high-vibration areas.

Front Release Connector

A system where contacts are released with a tool from the face of the connector and removed from the back (wire bundle side).

Rear Release Connector

A system where both the release and removal of the contact are accomplished from the back side of the connector.