The phenomenology of wire, dielectrics and frequency [aircraft wiring]

Electrical insulation used on aircraft wiring is known to deteriorate from a number of environmental, chemical, electrical and physical processes that are detrimental in one way or another to the molecular structure of the insulation polymer. Environmental stress encountered during installation and aircraft normal operations over the life of the wire is a dynamic process and an analysis of aging wiring can easily become complicated. As the physical and chemical properties of the wire system deteriorate. Similar degradation takes place in the electrical properties. Detailed examination of the chemical and physical degradation phenomenon has been well documented. However, the equivalent electrical degradation properties have not been documented or tied to system performance. This paper discusses systems electrical properties and total systems performance as related to the Electrical Interconnect Systems (EIS) health in its operational environment that also includes the effects of human interaction, system design and application.