GLENAIR
What are the key terms and definitions of Distributed Electrical Propulsion? AC Alternating Current, supply current cyclically changes direction
Breakdown
Catastrophic failure in electrical insulation resulting in instantaneous and complete loss in electrical performance Rate of flow of electrical charge, usually measured in amperes (A) Direct Current, supply current flows in one continuous direction Dielectric Withstand Voltage, proof- test voltage to ensure interconnect is free of manufacturing defect Cyclical rate of change in current direction for AC systems, usually measured in Hz (cycles per second) Operational Voltage, safe working voltage for continuous use based on application environment and reliability requirements Partial Discharge, localized failure in electrical insulation resulting in slow aging of electrical insulation , usually measured in picocoulombs (pC)
DWV testing of a Glenair high-voltage interconnect assembly at our independently-certified test laboratory
Current
DC
DWV
How does source frequency affect current performance? Increasing frequency reduces current rating. Two critical factors, skin and proximity effect, combined with high frequencies, prevent full utilization of the conductor. High frequencies are particularly detrimental to the performance of larger conductors. Again, for applications in frequency ranges greater than 800 Hz, additional analysis must be performed to ensure safe and reliable performance. How do we estimate reliability? Various methods may be employed to estimate interconnect long-term reliability by applying elevated stress-factors to induce failure, then deriving life-expectancy at intended usage through complex calculations. Accelerating factors include elevated voltage, elevated temperature, temperature cycling, and increased frequency. Accelerated aging tests may be useful in some instances, but the gold standard of reliability testing is Weibull analysis. For mission-critical systems utilizing high-voltage, high-current, and/or high- frequency interconnects, it is Glenair’s preference to determine reliability through this methodology to ensure safe and reliable performance of the electrical wire interconnect system.
Frequency
OpV
PD
Safety Factor Difference between OpV and DWV, required to ensure proper operation and varies based on application criticality
Skin Effect
Loss in conductor utilization and efficiency due to counter- electromotive force (CEMF) in high- frequency alternating currents Electrical potential difference between two conductors, usually measured in volts (V)
Voltage
QwikConnect • July 2021
15
Powered by FlippingBook