High voltage gradients in aircraft low voltage systems

This paper includes a brief review based on the activities of the IEEE dielectric and electrical insulation society's subcommittees for multifactor life and thermal life & fire hazard, as well as, experience with the SAE aerospace electrical/electronic distribution systems committee AE-8. The fatal accidents of TWA 800 and Swiss air 11 generated immense public concern about aircraft wiring. In July 1999 Mr. McSweeny, director of FAA aircraft certification announced the conclusion that an advisory group ATSRAC (Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee) should look at the possibility that electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) could be a source of safety issues. This presentation summarizes how a low voltage 120/208 V, 400 Hz system (and even 28 VDC system) can breakdown because of extremely high voltage gradient in a manner normally thought of as the sole province of high voltage space systems