---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 03/03/16: 12 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:28 AM - Re: Newbie Wiring Questions (user9253) 2. 06:38 AM - Re: Newbie Wiring Questions (Art Zemon) 3. 07:39 AM - Wire length in aluminum airframes (Charlie England) 4. 07:46 AM - Re: Newbie Wiring Questions (Ken Ryan) 5. 07:48 AM - Re: Re: Newbie Wiring Questions (Rene) 6. 08:34 AM - Fuel Level signal to G3X and Gauge (Dan Olson) 7. 08:59 AM - Re: Newbie Wiring Questions (user9253) 8. 03:03 PM - Re: Selecting a Fuse (Art Zemon) 9. 03:11 PM - Re: Re: Selecting a Fuse (jtortho@aol.com) 10. 03:30 PM - Re: Re: Selecting a Fuse (Larry Mac Donald) 11. 04:19 PM - Re: Re: Selecting a Fuse (Art Zemon) 12. 10:06 PM - Z-1 Magneto Wiring Question (mike) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:28:15 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Newbie Wiring Questions From: "user9253" I agree with kenryan. Fuse sizes in a table are the maximum fuse sizes. There is nothing wrong with using a smaller fuse size as long as it does not nuisance blow. If the wire size is increased to reduce voltage drop over a long distance, the fuse size does not need to be increased. If there are plenty of fuse slots available, it is preferable to fuse each load separately rather than to combine loads onto one fuse. If one load blows a fuse, you do not want an unrelated circuit to be disabled too. -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=453383#453383 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:38:44 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Newbie Wiring Questions From: Art Zemon Thank you for the references, Ken. That was just the sort of information I was seeking. BTW, I found this online Voltage Drop Calculator to be pretty useful. -- Art Z. On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 11:40 PM, Ken Ryan wrote: > Example: 1.7 amp X 2 = 3.4 amps. Table 11-9 in AC43.13 shows to carry that > amount of current you will need at least #20 wire. Figure 11-2 shows #20 > wire with 4 amps can only be 12 feet long (otherwise too much voltage > drop). I would use #18 to be safe. Table 11-3 shows #18 wire being > protected by 10 amp breaker or 10 amp fuse. That would be the maximum. > Since the load is only 3.4 amps I would use a 5 amp fuse. Or something like > that. Consult 43.13 for specifics. > -- http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ *"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel* ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:39:56 AM PST US From: Charlie England Subject: AeroElectric-List: Wire length in aluminum airframes Bob, I'm in the midst of wiring my RV-7, & realized that I can't find an answer in 'the book' for this question. In the book and articles you've written, you mention total wire distance (out & back), referencing fiberglass airframes. But how do you compute wire length when you're using an aluminum airframe for ground return for things like landing lights, pitot heat, etc? Can the return path be essentially ignored, since the return 'conductor' is so massively oversized? And just for the sake of discussion, would the answer change if it's a steel tube fuselage (significantly higher resistance for steel, but still massive)? Thanks, Charlie ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:46:19 AM PST US From: Ken Ryan Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Newbie Wiring Questions A 5 amp fuse or breaker will certainly protect an 18AWG wire, so yes, the fuse is sized to protect the wire. On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 9:17 PM, Rob Turk wrote: > Good example, but you didn't apply the "size the fuse to protect the wire" > rule. Using a 5A fuse is sized to the load, not to the wire. The table says > 10A for a #18 wire, so use 10A. > > On 3/3/2016 6:40 AM, Ken Ryan wrote: > > Example: 1.7 amp X 2 = 3.4 amps. Table 11-9 in AC43.13 shows to carry that > amount of current you will need at least #20 wire. Figure 11-2 shows #20 > wire with 4 amps can only be 12 feet long (otherwise too much voltage > drop). I would use #18 to be safe. Table 11-3 shows #18 wire being > protected by 10 amp breaker or 10 amp fuse. That would be the maximum. > Since the load is only 3.4 amps I would use a 5 amp fuse. Or something like > that. Consult 43.13 for specifics. > > On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 8:16 PM, Charlie England > wrote: > >> Size the wire for the load. Size the fuse to protect the wire. >> >> >> -------- Original message -------- >> From: Art Zemon >> Date:03/02/2016 9:39 PM (GMT-06:00) >> To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com >> Subject: AeroElectric-List: Newbie Wiring Questions >> >> Hello, >> >> I am starting to plan the wiring for my BD-4C. My immediate problem is >> that I want to install the wires for things which will go in the rear of >> the plane, and near the floor by the back seat, soon so that I can close up >> the "tunnel" and (hopefully) not need to get in there again. >> >> The autopilot servos and the magnetometer have me wondering what to do. >> Each needs power + 4 signal wires. The autopilot servos draw up to 1.7 A so >> I think I use larger wire for the power than the signals. The magnetomer >> only draws 0.12 A, though, so do I just get a cable with 5 or 6 conductors >> in it? Or should the power be a separate wire from a 4-conductor signal >> cable? >> >> The rear seat intercomm has me wondering, too. It looks like 4-conductors >> will do, since there aren't any PTT switches. But shielded or not? I think >> not but would like some reassurance. >> >> Finally, an off the wall question: How do you size a fuse for a circuit? >> Do you just round up to the next highest integer or do you go bigger? I'm >> thinking of the autopilot servos, average current of 0.9 A and max current >> of 1.71 A. Should I use a 2 A fuse? 3 A? Put both on a single 5 A fuse? >> Something else? >> >> Thanks, >> -- Art Z. >> >> -- >> http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ >> >> *"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, >> what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel* >> > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:48:56 AM PST US From: "Rene" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Re: Newbie Wiring Questions Not to start another primer war.... As my old school electrical engineer reminds me every time we are on a project. The fuse is to protect the wire, size it that way. If the wire is capable of handling 10 amps, why not use a 10 amp fuse.......? That might be the question. I completed my airplane in 2008. Since then I have modified my panel many times. That has required me to change CBs because I added loads to a line. I wish I would have followed my EE advice and just set the breaker to the wire size. Rene' 801-721-6080 -----Original Message----- From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of user9253 Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2016 7:26 AM Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Newbie Wiring Questions I agree with kenryan. Fuse sizes in a table are the maximum fuse sizes. There is nothing wrong with using a smaller fuse size as long as it does not nuisance blow. If the wire size is increased to reduce voltage drop over a long distance, the fuse size does not need to be increased. If there are plenty of fuse slots available, it is preferable to fuse each load separately rather than to combine loads onto one fuse. If one load blows a fuse, you do not want an unrelated circuit to be disabled too. -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=453383#453383 ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:34:41 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Fuel Level signal to G3X and Gauge From: "Dan Olson" I have two Rochester fuel gauges in my Glasair. One for the main, one for the header. These are wired to two float type resistive sensors (30-240ohm). I have asked the G3X guys if anyone has had success getting both the gauge and G3X input to work off of one sender. They mentioned the G3X has a pull up resistor and might interact with the gauge. Any thoughts about how to make this work? Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=453391#453391 ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:59:22 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Newbie Wiring Questions From: "user9253" > If the wire is capable of handling 10 amps, why not use a 10 amp > fuse.......? In this particular case where the maximum load is less than 3 amps, I would use a 3 or 5 amp fuse because, when something shorts out, a smaller fuse will blow quicker and there will be less spark and smoke. Sizing circuit protection at the maximum allowed does have the advantage of being able to add future loads to that circuit. There was a recent discussion on VansAirforce about the number of fuses that should be installed. The consensus was: twice as many as the expected need. Fuses and fuse blocks are relatively inexpensive. -------- Joe Gores Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=453393#453393 ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:03:57 PM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Selecting a Fuse From: Art Zemon This is good stuff. I appreciate all of the opinions. Here is a "fer instance:" I have an autopilot servo which averages 0.9A and, at max torque, draws 1.71A. It sounds like I might select a fuse this way: 1. I need 10' of wire. 2. The manufacturer recommends 18-20 AWG wire. Using 20 AWG wire, 1.7A @ 14V will drop 0.3V in 10'. That seems OK to me. 3. Then, rather than fuse to the max current that 20 AWG can carry, I might try a 2A fuse. If that nuisance blows, I could try either 3A or 2A slow-blow. Reasonable? Thanks, -- Art Z. On Thu, Mar 3, 2016 at 8:26 AM, user9253 wrote: > > I agree with kenryan. Fuse sizes in a table are the maximum fuse sizes. > There is nothing wrong with using a smaller fuse size as long as it does > not nuisance blow. If the wire size is increased to reduce voltage drop > over a long distance, the fuse size does not need to be increased. -- http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ *"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel* ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 03:11:31 PM PST US From: jtortho@aol.com Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Selecting a Fuse The next question is how many types of wire do you want to buy? A roll of 18ga will serve most purposes,some as overkill. It is minimally stiffer to handle. The weight increase for the plane is neglibable. Decreases the number of connecter sizes to buy Jim Timoney -----Original Message----- From: Art Zemon Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2016 6:05 pm Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Selecting a Fuse This is good stuff. I appreciate all of the opinions. Here is a "fer instance:" I have an autopilot servo which averages 0.9A and, at max torque, draws 1.71A. It sounds like I might select a fuse this way: I need 10' of wire. The manufacturer recommends 18-20 AWG wire. Using 20 AWG wire, 1.7A @ 14V will drop 0.3V in 10'. That seems OK to me. Then, rather than fuse to the max current that 20 AWG can carry, I might try a 2A fuse. If that nuisance blows, I could try either 3A or 2A slow-blow. Reasonable? Thanks, -- Art Z. On Thu, Mar 3, 2016 at 8:26 AM, user9253 wrote: I agree with kenryan. Fuse sizes in a table are the maximum fuse sizes. There is nothing wrong with using a smaller fuse size as long as it does not nuisance blow. If the wire size is increased to reduce voltage drop over a long distance, the fuse size does not need to be increased. -- http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 03:30:39 PM PST US From: Larry Mac Donald Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Selecting a Fuse I'll take a shot at this. The N. electrical code requires you to to size the wire to 125% of its a mpacity and then size the fuse at 80% of that, or less. Again its over s ize the wire for the load and under size the fuse to protect the wire. I f you want to protect the appliance, put protection at the appliance. Larry On Mar 3, 2016, at 6:02 PM, Art Zemon wrote: > This is good stuff. I appreciate all of the opinions. > > Here is a "fer instance:" I have an autopilot servo which averages 0.9 A and, at max torque, draws 1.71A. It sounds like I might select a fuse this way: > I need 10' of wire. > The manufacturer recommends 18-20 AWG wire. Using 20 AWG wire, 1.7A @ 14V will drop 0.3V in 10'. That seems OK to me. > Then, rather than fuse to the max current that 20 AWG can carry, I mig ht try a 2A fuse. If that nuisance blows, I could try either 3A or 2A sl ow-blow. > Reasonable? > > Thanks, > -- Art Z. > > On Thu, Mar 3, 2016 at 8:26 AM, user9253 wrote: > > > I agree with kenryan. Fuse sizes in a table are the maximum fuse size s. There is nothing wrong with using a smaller fuse size as long as it does not nuisance blow. If the wire size is increased to reduce voltage drop over a long distance, the fuse size does not need to be increased. > > > -- > http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ > > "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, w hat am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Affordable Wireless Plans > Set up is easy. Get online in minutes. > Starting at only $9.95 per month! > www.netzero.net ____________________________________________________________ Affordable Wireless Plans Set up is easy. Get online in minutes. Starting at only $9.95 per month! www.netzero.net?refcd=nzmem0216 ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:19:13 PM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Selecting a Fuse From: Art Zemon So actually reading AC43-13 was illuminating. 11-48. DETERMINATION OF CIRCUIT BREAKER RATINGS. Circuit protection devices > must be sized to supply open circuit capability. *A circuit breaker must > be rated so that it will open before the current rating of the wire > attached to it is exceeded, or before the cumulative rating of all loads > connected to it are exceeded, whichever is lowest.* A circuit breaker > must always open before any component downstream can overheat and generate > smoke or fire. I added the emphasis. It looks like using a 2A breaker to protect a 1.7A device on a 20 AWG wire can be justified by AC43-13. Cheers, -- Art Z. -- http://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ *"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel* ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 10:06:38 PM PST US From: mike Subject: AeroElectric-List: Z-1 Magneto Wiring Question I am wiring my magneto's according to the set-up in the Z-1 diagram. I have a phobia about leaving the magneto's on and would like to have some type of sensor to indicate whether the magneto's are on by either a flashing warning light or buzzer but cannot see how to wire it into the set-up as detailed on Z-1 All ideas welcome Thanks Mike ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.