I will cut to the chase… yes, there is an Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) Training Program and it is called FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120-94. While these guidelines are not mandatory, they are derived from extensive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry experience in determining compliance with the relevant regulations.
Maintenance personnel need to be aware that aircraft EWIS should be maintained with the same level of attention and intensity as any other system in the aircraft. They also need to recognize that visual inspection of wiring has inherent limitations. Small defects such as breached or cracked insulation, especially in small gage wire, may not always be apparent. Therefore, effective wiring maintenance combines visual inspection techniques with improved wiring maintenance practices and training.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended all wiring issues identified in the FAA’s Aging Systems Plan be covered, either through rulemaking or through other means. The NTSB specifically cited the need for improved training of personnel to ensure adequate recognition and repair of potentially unsafe wiring conditions. This AC responds to the NTSB training improvement recommendation.
FAA AC 120-94 is an extensive 35-page document; therefore, I have extracted a few appendices, so you can get a taste of what is covered. You can download Appendix A & Appendix B, “EWIS Initial Training Programs Per Target Group”, by touching here. In this document, which is Appendix C, you will find the “EWIS Curriculum and Lesson Plans”. Finally, “EWIS Definitions” are located here, and include definitions of terms like Arc Tracking, EWIS, DET, FOD GVI… EIEIO. (Just kidding about the EIEIO from the children’s song “Old MacDonald”. 😊)
I hope you find this information interesting and helpful. I know we do here at InterConnect Wiring. I have also found a quick and very “easy to understand” video of inspection types noted in EWIS Advisory Circular AC 120-94. To view that, click here. If you want to see an hour-long EWIS Best Practices Job Aid 2.0, from the FAA, click here. Sweet dreams.
