MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
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 Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:14 am Post subject: [AeroElectric-List] Questions about circuit protection |
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This fuse versus CB discussion raises this questions with me - perhaps
someone can clear it up.
Are any of the current/modern avionic boxes really depending on the CB
or fuse for their internal 'protection' of anything?
I know many units specify a fuse/CB size and sometimes a wire size but I
just size the fuse to protect the wire and try to use a limited number
of adequate wire sizes. My understanding is that various units have
various means of protecting themselves from spikes, etc. And if any kind
of failure starts drawing more amps than the wire/fuse/cb can provide,
pop goes the external protection.
So I'm thinking that if the radio fails, it fails and I use the backup
radio.
If the wire leading to the radio shorts on rough edge or something, the
radio fails and I use the backup radio.
And since fuses are so cheap, I have a separate circuit for practically
every unit on the panel so there is a 1:1 ratio between units and fuses.
If multiple things fail, then it's an electrical system problem -
haven't worked out the details yet but I hope on my Z-14, I just
crossfeed to use the backup Alt/Batt system or otherwise go to the backups.
And if it smokes, open the windows, make sure it stopped smoking or hit
a master until it does. Land ASAP.
What are the holes in this thinking?
Carlos Trigo wrote
| Quote: | *.Two simple examples:*
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*1)** **You are flying along in your airplane with **circuit breakers**, the radio goes dead, and a breaker button pops out. What do you do? **Fly the airplane**, knowing that something happened in the electric circuit that is protected by that particular circuit breaker. If the radio (or anything else that went dead) is not critical to your flight, you complete it with no other worries*
*2)** **You are flying along in your airplane with **Fuses**, the radio goes dead, and nothing else happens. **What do you do? **Fly the airplane!!** not knowing what happened. Did I loose the alternator? Is there anything that is going to start a fire? What should I do? Should I land ASAP? Shall I declare an emergency? Next, anything can happen to the pilot, even panic*
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*When you get on the ground you troubleshoot the problem. **If it was a fuse, it can take some time to find out which. If it was a circuit breaker, I will go IMMEDIATELY to the source of the problem*
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*If the added cost for the row of little buttons to pop out, on the dash, gives you a sense of security, I say GO FOR IT......** I have 1 airplane with fuses, 1 airplane with cb’s, and the one I’m finishing building have both. Not biased, though… **J** Only analysing pros and cons…*
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*Carlos*
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