Investigating protection of approach lighting systems (ALS) against electrical surges

This paper presents simulation and experimental testing being performed on electrical protection systems for Approach Lighting System (ALS) used in major US airports. The main focus of the investigations is to validate selected protection topology needed to safeguard critical Individual Control Cabinet (ICC) used by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in their ALS. The approach used is based on (a) selection of appropriate protection topology, (b) simulation of protection systems with practical ground resistance sensitivity values, and (c) testing of a scaled model based on laboratory setup and testing. PSpicereg simulation was used to provide insights to ALS protection. The experimental work via hands-on destructive tests is being used to provide practical results to confirm the effectiveness of suggested protection schemes. The results obtained are consistent with the minimum design requirements.