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Standard Overview Related Compliance Standards

Standard Overview
The RTCA/DO-160 Section 15 measures the magnetic effect of the equipment and its main goal is to determine the closest distance to compasses or compass sensors (flux gates) at which that unit is allowed to be installed.

RTCA/DO-160 Section 15: Magnetic Effect ensures that equipment can function properly without interference which may affect the nearby equipment, determining equipment compliance with the applicable equipment performance standard or assisting the installer in choosing the proper location of the equipment in the aircraft.

The magnetic effect of the equipment is determined in terms of the equivalent deflection of a free magnet in a uniform magnetic field (as produced by the earth) having a horizontal intensity of 14.4 A/m ±10% when the equipment under test is positioned on the east-west line through the pivot of a magnet.

These measurements can be performed with either an uncompensated compass or an equivalent magnetic sensor.

Category Y: D = 0.0 m. The deflection of the compass is ≤1˚ when measured immediately adjacent to the equipment. This category should be used for equipment whose installation is placed between 0.0 m and 0.3 m from the magnetic compasses or flux gates.

Category Z: 0< D ≤ 0.3 m. The deflection of the compass is equal to 1˚ when measured >0.0 m to ≤0.3 m to the equipment. This category should be used for equipment whose installation is ≥ 0.3m to magnetic compasses or flux gates.

Category A: 0.3< D ≤ 1 m. The deflection of the compass is equal to 1˚ when measured >0.3 m to ≤1.0 m to the equipment. This category should be used for equipment whose installation is ≥ 1 m to magnetic compasses or flux gates.

Category B: 1 m < D ≤ 3 m The deflection of the compass is equal to 1˚ when measured >1.0 m to ≤3.0 m to the equipment. This category should be used for equipment whose installation is ≥3 m to magnetic compasses or flux gates.

Category C: The deflection of the compass is equal to 1˚ when measured >3.0 m to the equipment. This category should be used for equipment whose installation is >3 m to magnetic compasses or flux gates. Minimum distance for deviation of 1˚ shall be reported in the test form; the equipment location onboard will be selected accordingly.


 
Changes between DO-160 D, E, F, and G
From C to D From D to E From E to F From F to G
Text was added to clarify the source of the referenced magnetic field. Section 15.3 was modified to provide a more detailed test procedure than in previous versions, including a requirement to verify field uniformity if the compass must be moved to change the measurement distance to the EUT (equipment under test). The new Figure 15-1 provides a test setup diagram and gives notes on the proper performance of the test. A new Category Y was added for measurements made immediately adjacent to the unit under test.  Descriptions of each equipment category were added to Section 15.1 Purpose of Test along with a discussion of how the test results are used to determine how close the EUT may be installed to a compass or compass sensor. Test allowing the measurements to be made with an uncompensated compass or equivalent magnetic sensor was also added.
 		 Added user’s guide and updated figure 15-1.
 

 

Related RTCA/DO-160 Standards

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RTCA/DO-160 Section 5: Temperature Variation Testing
RTCA/DO-160 Section 5 determines performance characteristics of the equipment during temperature variations between high and low operating temperature extremes. Note: The test is not intended to verify the behavior of the equipment in wet or icing conditions. In conducting this test, the test chamber may incorporate the capability of controlling or altering humidity to the extent that condensation is minimized or does not occur. The rates applicable to the temperature variation procedures defined in Subsection 5.3 are as follows: Category A – For equipment external to the aircraft or internal to the aircraft: 10 degrees Celsius minimum per minute. Category B – For equipment in a non-temperature-controlled or partially temperature controlled internal section of the aircraft: 5 degrees Celsius minimum per minute. Category C – For equipment in a temperature-controlled internal section of the aircraft: 2 degrees Celsius minimum per minute. Category S1 – For equipment external to the aircraft or internal to the aircraft: known rate of change greater than 10 degrees Celsius per minute. The rate of change shall be noted in the Qualification Form. Category S2 – For equipment external to the aircraft or internal to the aircraft: unknown rate of change greater than 10 degrees Celsius per minute.
RTCA/DO-160 Section 6: Humidity Testing
Category A – Standard Humidity Environment Equipment intended for installation in civil aircraft, non -civil transport aircraft and other classes, within environmentally controlled compartments of aircraft in which the severe humidity environment is not normally encountered. Category B – Severe Humidity Environment Equipment installed in zones not environmentally controlled may be required to be operated under conditions such that it is subjected to a more severe atmospheric humidity environment for periods of time in excess of that specified for the standard humidity environment. Category C – External Humidity Environment Equipment may be required to be operated under conditions such that it is subjected to direct contact with outside air for periods of time in excess of that specified for the standard humidity environment.
RTCA/DO-160 Section 8: Vibration Testing
RTCA/DO-160 Section 8 verifies that equipment can operate or will not be damaged when subjected to vibration levels depending on the installation and location in the aircraft. RTCA/DO-160 Section 8 has many categories of vibration (S, H, Z, and R for Fixed Wing; and R, U and U2 for Helicopter). Depending on the type of aircraft, the location of the unit in the aircraft, and proximity to the engines (based on ‘Zones’) the test levels and durations are determined. 
RTCA/DO-160 Section 10: Waterproofness Testing
RTCA/DO-160 Section 10 analyzes how aircraft responds to water under normal conditions and consists of the following tests: Condensing Water Drip Proof Test (Category Y) Drip Proof Test (Category W) Spray Proof Test (Category R) Continuous Stream Proof Test (Category S) Of the four tests, ATEC rents chambers to complete testing for Category Y. This condensing water test requires the use of two temperature and humidity chambers; chamber 1 set to -10° C and chamber 2 set to 40° with 85% relative humidity. The equipment under test is placed (non-operating) into chamber 1 for three hours, then transferred to chamber 2 and operated for 10 minutes. Upon completion, the equipment is evaluated to determine compliance.     Equipment Categories Category Y Equipment that is installed in locations where it is subjected to condensing water in the course of normal aircraft operations. Category W Equipment that is installed in locations where it is subjected to falling water (generally the result of condensation) in the course of normal aircraft operations. Category R Equipment installed in locations where it may be subjected to a driving rain or where water may be sprayed on it from any angle. Category S Equipment installed in locations where it may be subjected to the forces of a heavy stream of fluid such as would be encountered in aircraft de-icing, washing or cleaning operations.