Hi Rowland
As an ex- CAA Licenced Avionic engineer I shudder at the use of Faston spade
terminals instead of ring tags and hate soldered joints and love crimps, but
many homebuilt aircraft have these features and fly quite safely.
Fuses vs circuit breakers is another one for the list. The joy of home
building is that we can make our own choices in this area, after carrying
out due diligence, and I respect your choice.
Beware- someone will now point out that fuses and circuit breakers are old
hat and we should all be using power control modules to monitor and protect
our aircraft electrics.
The subject of replacing fuses or resetting circuit breakers in flight is
also well covered in training manuals and flight manuals of certified
aircraft. Again, we can do our study and make our choices and be content
with our personal decisions.
Best regards
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Rowland Carson
Sent: 07 April 2014 12:04
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Parcel Shelf tray door access for fuses, CBS
--> <rowlandcarson@gmail.com>
On 7 Apr 2014, at 11:03, Brian Davies wrote:
> You make a very good point. The only electrical incident I have
experienced on my aircraft was a generator overvolt trip just after
coasting out over the Channel. After a careful check and a reset of the
circuit breaker I was able to proceed without any drama. The alternative,
with a fuse not readily accessible, would have been a turn back to the
airfield/refiling flight plan, revised GAR arrival time etc. etc.
>
> The safety aspects are even more important..
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of David
> Joyce
> Sent: 07 April 2014 10:16
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: Parcel Shelf tray door access for fuses, CBS
>
> Tony & Rowland, I have a slightly different philosophical approach to
> this question. A fuse may well go as part of some in air failure just
> possibly accompanied by fire or smoke. Time spent working out what is
> happening threatens your safety. As with an engine failure serious
> distraction and stress can lead to speed decay and a stall/spin
> accident. So I prefer my fusing system to be out where it is
> immediately obvious what has blown and for this reason I recommend
> switchable circuit breakers, all labelled and readily visible. They
> have the added benefit of readily allowing switching off of circuits
> to deal with emergencies such as regulator failure. Regards, David
> Joyce, G-XSDJ
David, Brian - thanks for your comments. I've tried to do simple Failure
Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) on both types of circuit protection
remembering that I'll be trying to fly the aeroplane at the same time. My
planned "mission profile" is such that a failure of any single electrical
item should not compromise flight safety, and in this I agree with Bob
Nucknolls, who has a lot more experience than me in aircraft electrics.
(With 32 years' professional experience in electronic research I feel I also
know a bit about the "electrics" aspect if not the "aircraft" aspect.) See
the following postings:
http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/fuseorcb.html
http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/fusvsbkr.html
http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/fusvbkr2.html
You'll see there are strong arguments (& feelings!) on both sides. I can
only say in the light of my own knowledge that I took time over my choice
and feel comfortable with it.
in friendship
Rowland
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