Giving Your EWIS a Good Cleaning
Author: Lectromec - Michael Traskos
Published: 04-13-2012
During standard aircraft maintenance, it occasionally becomes necessary clean the wiring, remove FOD (foreign object debris), or systems near wiring (which is just about everywhere on the aircraft). This process should be handled with care and attention to details.
Cleaning should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations where applicable. Where no information is given on cleaning procedures, the use of a clean natural fiber rag with isopropyl alcohol as the cleaning agent is recommended. Harnesses should be wiped down and never vigorously scrubbed as this may damage the wire insulation. Care should be taken when any maintenance is performed on life systems.
Also, recognition of corrosion in metals is an important part of the EWIS component cleaning process. Because corrosion can have a significant impact on system performance, proactive actions are important.
When cleaning aircraft via pressure washing, one should exercise care to prevent damage to exposed electrical components and EWIS. High pressure sprays can quickly degrade EWIS components such as wire insulation and connectors. This is of particular importance are such as wing leading and trailing edges, wheel wells, and landing gear. When practical, protect EWIS components (for example, wiring and connectors) before pressure washing. If a cleaning solution is used in the spray, it is recommended that the area be rinsed to remove any residue as prolonged exposure can lead to degradation of wire insulations.
Cleaning of EWIS requires extreme care and use proper maintenance procedures when cleaning to ensure safe and reliable performance. When cleaning an area, avoid movement of the harnesses and/or equipment during cleaning of non-aggressive contamination, such as dust, dirt, or swarf. If the movement of harnesses is necessary for proper cleaning, release wiring from its installation (loosen clamps and ties) in a way that avoids placing stress the connectors or support devices. Interior wire bundle contamination should be addressed by removing and bundle ties before separating wires.