RTCA DO-160

This test procedure is used to cover standard procedures and environmental test criteria for testing airborne electronic equipment and mechanical systems. A2Z is ready to assist in any of the sections this standard includes:

Temperature - Checks the effects of temperature on the system. Condensation also can be a factor coming from sold temperatures.

Altitude - These tests check the effects (in terms of performance) of altitude, including loss of cabin pressure on the device/system/equipment. Factors tested include dielectric strength, cooling under low pressure, and resilience to rapid change in air pressure. The norm defines the different temperature profiles under which the equipment must be tested. Due to the variety of aircraft, the equipment are classified in categories.

Temperature Variation - Exercises the assemblies capability of surviving extreme temperature changes and the effects of differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

Humidity - Under humidity check the effects of high concentrations of humidity and the articles ability to withstand moisture effects. Typically moisture sensitive devices have issues with this test and require conformal coat or other types of protection.

Shock & Crash Safety - Aircraft type dependent test checks the effects of mechanical shock. Crash safety test insures the item does not become a projectile in a crash. The norm describes the test procedure for airborne equipment.

Vibration - Aircraft type dependent test checks the effects of vibration and the equipment's ability to operate during all vibration scenarios.

Explosion Proofness - Subjects test article to an environment under vacuum, with a gaseous mixture of combustibles. The unit must operate and be subjected to any actuation including knob turns and button pushes and not ignite the environment.

Water Proofness - Subject test article to various scenarios of dripping water or pooled water to verify the unit will fully operate in the given condition.

Fluids Susceptibility - Aviation related fluids susceptibility including a variety of fluids ranging from carbonated sugared beverage to various cleaners and solvents.

Sand & Dust - Subject unit to an environment of blowing sand and dust of specific particle sizes in which the unit must operate at the end of exposures.

Fungus Resistance - This tests determine whether equipment material is adversely affected by fungi under conditions favorable for their development, namely, high humidity, warm atmosphere and presence of inorganic salts.

Salt & Fog - Verifies the test articles ability to survive multiple exposures of salt fog and drying and the environment's ability to cause accelerated corrosion.

Magnetic Effect - Ensures that the aircraft's compass is not affected.

Power Input - Input power conducted emissions and susceptibility, transients, drop-outs and hold-up. The power input tests simulate conditions of aircraft power from before engine start to after landing including emergencies.

Voltage Spike - Determines whether equipment can withstand the effects of voltage spikes arriving at the equipment on its power leads, either AC or DC.

Audio Frequency Conducted Susceptibility - Determines whether the equipment will accept frequency components of a magnitude normally expected when the equipment is installed in the A/C. These frequency components are normally harmonically related to the power source fundamental frequency.

Induced Signal Susceptibility - Determines whether the equipment interconnect circuit configuration will accept a level of induced voltages caused by the installation environment. This section relates specifically to interfering signals related to the power frequency and its harmonics, audio frequency signals, and electrical transients that are generated by other on-board equipment or systems and coupled to sensitive circuits within the EUT through its interconnecting wiring.

RF Emission and Susceptibility - Radio frequency energy: -- radiated emissions and radiated susceptibility (HIRF) via an (Electromagnetic reverberation chamber).

Lightning Susceptibility - Direct and indirect effects depending on mounting location; includes induced transients into the airframe or wire bundle.

Icing - Determines performance characteristics for equipment that must operate when exposed to icing conditions that would be encountered under conditions of rapid changes in temperature, altitude and humidity.

ESD - This checks for resilience vs ESD in handling and operation.

Flammability - This analysis and test verifies the assembly will not provide a source to fire.

RTCA DO-160

This test procedure is used to cover standard procedures and environmental test criteria for testing airborne electronic equipment and mechanical systems. A2Z is ready to assist in any of the sections this standard includes:

Temperature - Checks the effects of temperature on the system. Condensation also can be a factor coming from sold temperatures.

Temperature Variation - Exercises the assemblies capability of surviving extreme temperature changes and the effects of differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

Humidity - Under humidity check the effects of high concentrations of humidity and the articles ability to withstand moisture effects. Typically moisture sensitive devices have issues with this test and require conformal coat or other types of protection.

Shock & Crash Safety - Aircraft type dependent test checks the effects of mechanical shock. Crash safety test insures the item does not become a projectile in a crash. The norm describes the test procedure for airborne equipment.

Vibration - Aircraft type dependent test checks the effects of vibration and the equipment's ability to operate during all vibration scenarios.

Explosion Proofness - Subjects test article to an environment under vacuum, with a gaseous mixture of combustibles. The unit must operate and be subjected to any actuation including knob turns and button pushes and not ignite the environment.

Water Proofness - Subject test article to various scenarios of dripping water or pooled water to verify the unit will fully operate in the given condition.

Fluids Susceptibility - Aviation related fluids susceptibility including a variety of fluids ranging from carbonated sugared beverage to various cleaners and solvents.

Sand & Dust - Subject unit to an environment of blowing sand and dust of specific particle sizes in which the unit must operate at the end of exposures.

Fungus Resistance - This tests determine whether equipment material is adversely affected by fungi under conditions favorable for their development, namely, high humidity, warm atmosphere and presence of inorganic salts.

Salt & Fog - Verifies the test articles ability to survive multiple exposures of salt fog and drying and the environment's ability to cause accelerated corrosion.

Magnetic Effect - Ensures that the aircraft's compass is not affected.

Power Input - Input power conducted emissions and susceptibility, transients, drop-outs and hold-up. The power input tests simulate conditions of aircraft power from before engine start to after landing including emergencies.

Voltage Spike - Determines whether equipment can withstand the effects of voltage spikes arriving at the equipment on its power leads, either AC or DC.

Audio Frequency Conducted Susceptibility - Determines whether the equipment will accept frequency components of a magnitude normally expected when the equipment is installed in the A/C. These frequency components are normally harmonically related to the power source fundamental frequency.

RF Emission and Susceptibility - Radio frequency energy: -- radiated emissions and radiated susceptibility (HIRF) via an (Electromagnetic reverberation chamber).

Lightning Susceptibility - Direct and indirect effects depending on mounting location; includes induced transients into the airframe or wire bundle.

Icing - Determines performance characteristics for equipment that must operate when exposed to icing conditions that would be encountered under conditions of rapid changes in temperature, altitude and humidity.

ESD - This checks for resilience vs ESD in handling and operation.

Flammability - This analysis and test verifies the assembly will not provide a source to fire.