A method of combining intermittent arc fault technologies

Abstract

Intermittent wire faults can be caused by harsh environments, handling or simply aging of the sheathing. These types of faults are difficult to isolate due to the intermittent nature. Recent advances in intermittent fault detection have provided the aerospace and defense industry new methods to test aging aircraft wiring. In particular the use of Low Energy High Voltage (LEHV) methods and Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) has shown promise in locating intermittent faults in a variety of situations. These technologies have distinct advantages which best serve the industry in a combined package. This paper presents a novel method of combining these technologies in a portable fashion to solve the growing need for intermittent fault detection.