AIRFIELD LIGHTING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

One of the most important things an owner can do to assure reliable and predictable operation of the airfield lighting system is to schedule regular maintenance and testing of the lighting system. Periodic sectionalization and megging of cables will provide ample warning of cable and transformer insulation degradation. Testing creates a window of opportunity for scheduled repairs. This is preferable to an emergency start from scratch repair effort in what always seems to be the worst conditions. (snow, rain, dark and inbound or circling traffic)

Series airfield lighting circuits will work despite a certain amount of insulation degradation. If this condition is allowed to continue without remedial action the conductor/transformer system will begin to force faults at other locations in the circuit. As these faults multiply individual sections of lights will begin to burn dimmer as the current finds lower paths of resistance until entire sections drop out of the circut prior to ground conditions leading to total failure.

Testing and repair of the lightning protection counterpoise system offers increased protection from lightning and increased safety for people around the lighting system. In some cases a new counterpoise system can be installed to supplement a damaged or questionable existing system. This is often more cost effective than you might think, depending upon your system specifics.

Installation of surge suppresion on the incoming power and control lines reduces the risk of lightning damage to control and power equipment.

Frequently, owners do not know the loads or voltages on their systems. We have the equipment and personnel to perform load and voltage surveys. It is not unusual for regulators to be underloaded. In many cases the regulators can be retapped to more closely match the actual load. This can result in significant power savings for the owner.