Bonding and Grounding in Aerospace Vehicles and Ground Equipment

Safety and reliability in aerospace vehicles and associated ground equipment are directly affected by basic design concepts in power system grounding and bonding practice. The three major objectives covered in this paper are; avoidance of static charges, protection from lightning, and safe containment of power system faults. Effective measures are outlined which hold static charges to insignificant levels incapable of sparking. Basic precautions which improve safety from lightning are specified. A number of alternate schemes for safe handling of power system faults are discussed. In addition, some simple and effective methods of obtaining effective electric bonding of equipment and structure are described and illustrated.