RTCA DO-160 Section 17

RTCA DO-160 Section 17: Voltage Spike

The purpose of this standard is to determine whether the EUT can operate as required during and/ or after voltage spikes are applied to the AC and/or DC power input(s). Any method of generating the spike may be used, provided that the pulse produced has a duration of at least 10 microseconds, a rise-time of less than 2 microseconds, and a source impedance of 50 ohms. A minimum of 50 voltage spikes are applied within 1 minute. This test is very similar to MIL-STD-461F test method CS106 [3].

The main adverse effects to be anticipated are:

    
 	
  1. Permanent damage, component failure, insulation breakdown.
    2. 
 	
  2. Susceptibility degradation or changes in equipment performance.
    3. 


Equipment Categories

There are two Equipment Categories.

    
 	
  1. Category A: Equipment intended primarily for installation where a high degree of protection against damage by voltage spikes is required is identified as Category A. The Category A Test Level is 600 volts.
    2. 
 	
  2. Category B: Equipment intended primarily for installations where a lower standard of protection against voltage spikes is acceptable is identified as Category B. The Category B test level is twice the AC (rms) and/or DC line voltage (or 200 volts, whichever is less).
    3. 


What’s new for DO-160G?

Clarification - A minimum of 50 spikes in positive polarity, and 50 spikes in negative polarity, are required.

More about RTCA DO-160 Section 17
}