Aerospace Systems Electrical Bonding and Grounding for Electromagnetic Compatibility and Safety
ARP1870
This document establishes the minimum requirements for the electrical bonding and grounding of electric, avionic, armament, communication, and electronic equipment installations for aeronautical and aerospace applications. The bonding and grounding requirements specified herein are to ensure that an adequate low resistance return path for electric, avionic, armament, communication and electronic equipment is achieved which can withstand operating conditions and corrosion. This is essential for the reduction of coupling of electromagnetic fields into or out of the equipment as well as for providing electrical stability to control the currents and/or voltages caused by static charges and discharges and for suppressing the hazardous effects thereof.
Rationale: Due to the increasing prevalence of carbon fiber composite rather than aluminum in aircraft structure, there are now special consideration that need to be taken into account when it comes to electrical bonding and grounding these composite aircraft. The electrical conductivity of composite aircraft is orders of magnitude lower than the traditional aircraft with aluminum structure. The intent of this document is to promote greater mechanical and electrical integrity and this can only be obtained by providing guidance on effectively bonding and grounding equipment and composite structures found in todays aircraft.
