Aircraft electrical power quality effects the operation and life of avionics equipment. The military interface document that defines aircraft electrical power at the input to utilization equipment is MIL-STD-704. Testing is required to demonstrate compatibility of avionics with aircraft electrical power. This paper summarizes the aircraft electrical operating conditions and power groups of MIL-STD-704. The paper also gives an overview of the test guidance for 28 volt DC aircraft utilization equipment provided in the recently published handbook MIL-HDBK-704, “Guidance for Test Procedures for Demonstration of Utilization Equipment Compliance to Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics”. Common causes of power quality parameters and the effects on avionics are given.
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