Cables for aircraft. Design and development

A previous paper by Bird, Hancock and MacKenzie described developments in the aircraft-cable field up to a decade ago. The present paper gives an account of the design and development carried out since then on the three main aircraft-wiring cables: Nyvin, Tersil and Efglas. Various alternative designs for use in similar operating-temperature ranges to these are also discussed. The paper continues to examine the main factors affecting the design of all types of aircraft wiring cable and, in particular, discusses detailed tests which have been undertaken to determine their performance under special conditions. Details of other designs of cable and wire used in aircraft are discussed, and, in conclusion, reference is made to likely future trends. Foremost is the need for even smaller cables, which are lighter in weight, based on small high-strength alloy conductors. Further aspects are the need to determine whether the incorporation of glass braids imparts sufficiently worthwhile improvements in properties and also the desirability of defining more precisely the overall requirements of future generations of aircraft cable.