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As aircraft move to using higher voltages, there is an increased risk of electrical failure if clearance and creepage distances of electrical apparatus, especially printed circuit boards (PCBs) are not appropriately maintained. However, conservatism can lead to dimensions being artificially enlarged leading to significant penalties in terms of weight / volume. One failure mode that can exist on insulation of PCBs is electrical tracking across surfaces, particularly those that are contaminated (this mode of failure being distinct to arc tracking in cables). This can eventually lead to electrical failure in the form of a short circuit and could pose a fire risk in some systems. For precise dimensioning of insulation within equipment, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of electrical tracking as influenced by different environmental conditions.

Today, we are all strongly dependent on the correct functioning of technical systems. They fail, and we become vulnerable. Disruptions due to degradation or anomalous behavior can negatively impact safety, operations, and brand name, reducing the profitability of all elements of the value chain. This can be tolerated if the link between cause and effect is understood and remedied. Anomalous behavior, which indicates systems or subsystems not acting in accordance with design intent, is a much more serious problem. It includes unwanted system responses and faults whose root cause can’t be properly diagnosed, leading to costly, and sometimes unnecessary, component replacements. The title No Fault Found: The Search for the Root Cause was developed to propose solutions to this technical and business challenge, which has become less and less acceptable to the commercial aviation industry globally.