Electromagnetic Compatibility of High Density Wiring Installations by Design or Retrofit

Successful integration of individual subsystems in a weapon system depends significantly on the effects of interconnect wiring. Due to increasing complexities of electronic equipments and electrical wiring, problems arise because of the increase in wiring and smaller areas in which it must be placed. To solve a high density wiring problem, McDonnell Aircraft Corp. developed a "compact wire harness" which, when compared to conventional aircraft and spacecraft wiring, reduced harness diameter, improved reliability and appearance, offered more flexibility, and reduced weight appreciably. From the compact wire harness development evolved an additional design "tool" for the control of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), a "shielded compact wire harness." Continuing product improvements, such as an EMI "tight" backshell, and improved methods to accomplish consistent grounding of the connector plug show favorable promise of adaptibility to the shielded compact wire harness. A recent crippling interference situation in an active Air Force reconnaissance squadron was corrected with the McDonnell shielded cable concept. The usefulness of the process was thereby established as a retrofit "tool."