Atec ECAT-LTS User Manual

Thermo Scientific ECAT

When Failure is Not an Option
System Description

Features

Product Specifications

The Thermo Scientific ECAT Lightning

Test System (LTS) is a modular test

platform, which tests to the lightning

simulator requirements of RTCA DO-160

Section 22. The system is expandable

to meet Boeing, Airbus, EUROCAE and other

avionic standards.

Lightning Test System (L TS)

Modular lightning test system platform
for testing to multiple avionic standards

● Safe

● Quick Test Setup

● Simple User Interface

● Waveforms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B and 6

● Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5+

• Single Stroke, Multiple Stroke, Multiple

•

Burst and Pin Injection from the same
front panel

Modular architecture

With its fully-automated test operations,
the Thermo Scientific ECAT Lightning
Test System (LTS) yields reliable,
repeatable and accurate test results to
avionics lightning simulator
requirements of RTCA DO 160 Section

22. It is easily expandable to meet
Boeing, Airbus, EUROCAE and other
requirements.
Building on the legacy of proven
ECAT field-upgradeable modular
technology, featuring fast test set-up,
intuitive programming and front panel
and remote computer control. On-site
calibration and field service is available
worldwide.

The ECAT LTS is configured as a basic
test system, available as a Level 3, Level
4, or Level 5 tester. All test systems
feature single-stroke, multiple-stroke, pin
injection and multiburst test capability,
integral to the system controls, without
any external connections.
The system is composed of a Frame that
contains the power and control for the
system. Waveforms are produced from
the modules inserted into the Frame.
Both the Frame and modules can be
purchased separately. Owning multiple
frames allow increased capability by
“swapping” modules between frames, and
testing with each frame simultaneously.

Pin
Injection

Single
Stroke

Multiple
Stroke

Multiple
Burst

Plug-in
Module

Time

Bursts

Transients

DO160

Airbus ABD0100.1.2-G

Thermo Scientific ECAT Lightning Test System (LTS)

The Total System

The Thermo Scientific Lightning Test System (LTS) provides a modular test platform based on the lightning simulator
requirements of RTCA DO-160 Section 22, EUROCAE, Boeing, Airbus and others. Based on the proven modular
construction of the Thermo Scientific ECAT System, the LTS can be upgraded in the field by the user or in the factory as
requirements change by the addition or replacement of individual modules.

The LTS can perform Pin Injection, Cable Bundle and Ground Injection testing with Single Stroke, Multiple Stroke and
Multiple Burst modes from the same module. The system can be expanded as test requirements evolve. Purchase of
additional frames allows the operator to double his capacity using existing modules, without purchasing another system.

Turn-key Testing

With the advent of the Thermo Scientific LTS, lightning testing of avionics comes of age and provides an easy to use, turn­key solution for test engineers and technicians.

Until recently, the availability of commercial equipment for testing to lightning standards for avionics, such as RTCA DO­160, has been limited. Most test equipment used in the industry was home made: difficult and time consuming to set-up
and awkward to use, requiring skilled engineers for their operation and maintenance.

Testing with the LTS insures repeatable, reproducible test results while virtually eliminating tester set-up time. Waveforms
and functions are selected with the push of a button rather than by reconfiguring test equipment and wiring. The LTS can
significantly reduce total test time resulting in significant cost savings.

Versatile, Modular Architecture

LTS waveform simulators are completely modular, using plug-in modules that provide all the waveforms required to meet
the lightning test requirements of RTCA DO-160, EUROCAE, Boeing, Airbus and others.

Any Thermo Scientific LTS simulator can be readily expanded, at any time, for testing to new or modified standards. These
modules can be added or replaced by the operator, without requiring a field service engineer, or shipping to the factory.
Rather than purchasing or constructing a new tester, replacement or addition of plug-in modules saves time and money.
Upgrades are considerably less expensive than individual instruments, and what’s more, LTS modular systems are totally
open-ended and will be able to handle future requirements, whatever they may be.

Thermo Scientifics’ plug-in architecture protects you when standards are changed or superseded as the industry
understanding of lightning threats to aircraft avionics evolves, and as industry standards ev olv e.

Currently available LTS Modules

Waveform

Description

WF1 ♦ ♦
WF2 ♦* ♦ ♦
WF3 - 1 MHz ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 1 MHz Oscillatory Voltage Wave D563
WF3 - 10 MHz
WF4 ♦ ♦ ♦
WF5A ♦ ♦ ♦
WF5A Airbus / Boeing ♦ ♦
WF5B ♦ ♦ ♦
WF6

♦ ♦ ♦ 10 MHz Oscillatory Voltage Wave D563

♦ 0.25 us x 4.0 us Current Impulse D569

6.4 us x 69 us Current Wave D561, D566
≤100 ns x 6.4 us Voltage Wave D562

6.4 us x 69 us Voltage Wave D561, D566
40 us x 120 us Current Wave D561, D567
40 us x 120 us Voltage & Current Wave D568
50 us x 500 us Current Impulse D564

One example of the multiple standards supported for WF3 Multiple Burst Test Mode

LTS Display

DO160

Airbus/E Airbus ABD0100.1.2-E 15 sec 500 1 ------------- 10-10,000 us
Boeing-4

Standards Compliance

Boeing D6-16050-5
Airbus ABD0100.1.2-F

Boeing D6-16050-4
NH-90

Min
Applic

3 sec 20 3 30-300 ms 50-10,000 us

3 sec 20 24

Max #
Trans

Max #
Bursts

Time
Between

10-200 ms 10-50 us

Time
Between

Thermo Scientific ECAT Lightning Test System (LTS)

2. Select Waveform type, voltage levels and timing

1. Select Test Type: Pin Injection, Single

DCHV-1 Coupler

Cable Induction

Pin Injection

Example Test Setup for WF3 Single-Stroke, Multiple-Stroke, Multiple-Burst and Pin Injection from
the

same module front panel

Controller Front Panel Programming for above example

Stroke, Multiple Stroke or Multiple Burst

• Single Stroke

• Multiple Stroke

• Multiple Burst

It doesn’t get any easier than this!