MGL Avionics: New ECB

[Hornet2008]

Hi Rainier,

Had a look through the manual, albeit quickly, it there a way to reset in flight?

[Doug]

I really like the concept.

Question: Is ribbon cable available with tefzel insulation that is suitable for IDC termination?

I'm with Vern on a preference for D-sub connections in place of the ribbon IDC type. Most IDC cable (ribbon included) need to have a fairly soft insulation material mostly PVC so as to prevent compromising the grip onto the wire during the assembly process. The insulation needs split to allow the blunt contacts to grab the wire. Tefzel insulation has really good resistance to splitting and nicking so difficult to use For IDC termination.

I prefer D-subs because the types we use have mill spec gold plated contacts, crimp termination, have floating contacts so the individual pin/socket alignment is 100%, have positive connector retention (screws) and can be fitted with cable relief backshell to remove strain from the connection.

Just my 2 cents.

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by Doug

I really like the concept.

Question: Is ribbon cable available with tefzel insulation that is suitable for IDC termination?

I'm with Vern on a preference for D-sub connections in place of the ribbon IDC type. Most IDC cable (ribbon included) need to have a fairly soft insulation material mostly PVC so as to prevent compromising the grip onto the wire during the assembly process. The insulation needs split to allow the blunt contacts to grab the wire. Tefzel insulation has really good resistance to splitting and nicking so difficult to use For IDC termination.

I prefer D-subs because the types we use have mill spec gold plated contacts, crimp termination, have floating contacts so the individual pin/socket alignment is 100%, have positive connector retention (screws) and can be fitted with cable relief backshell to remove strain from the connection.

Just my 2 cents.

You would use a very similar method to the DSUB. IDC connectors are available with individual crimp contacts for discrete wires so in the end there is effectively no difference.
One of the features of the IDC system is the very wide range of options so that is a bonus.
One could even consider a small PCB containing a normal ICD board mount connector and then use the PCB to translate that into anything you like.
We'll see what and where the demand is going to be and react accordingly.

BTW: This device is tested to DO-160 vibration limits which includes the ICD connectors. DO-160 test categories are at the end of the manual. The tests are performed with the cable secured as you would do in an aircraft.

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by Hornet2008

Hi Rainier,

Had a look through the manual, albeit quickly, it there a way to reset in flight?

Not sure what you mean with "reset" but there are two options so let me answer both:

Reset a tripped breaker.

a) switch off and then on. This resets the breaker if it tripped.
b) if connected to an EFIS reset the breaker by touching its representation on the display.

Reset the module.

No "reset" button as such but there is an electronic version of it. Should the microprocessor stop executing its program for whatever reason a built in "watchdog" will restart the system (this is very fast).
If that does not get the processor working then there is another, very simple system that detects this and effectively disconnects the processor from control of the breakers. You still control the breakers just as before through the switches. In this case all breakers default to their built in trip current limits of 45A each (yes these things can take quite a wallop).
In case supply power to the module fails, it will draw power from the high current input power terminal instead and continue working as normal.
Difficult to imagine a more fail safe design...

Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics

[jump4way]

will this ECB interface with any of your competitors EFIS systems to view status of the circuits and reset through the EFIS?

[Rainier Lamers]

Originally Posted by jump4way

will this ECB interface with any of your competitors EFIS systems to view status of the circuits and reset through the EFIS?

Nope.
All protocols are available but I suspect it will be unlikely that anybody would implement it.
Been proven wrong before - let's see.

Rainier

[krw5927]

Originally Posted by Rainier Lamers

In this case all breakers default to their built in trip current limits of 45A each (yes these things can take quite a wallop).

Does the system somehow annunciate that all wiring to systems/avionics/whatever is now essentially unprotected? 45A could cause quite a nice smoke event if the ECB system failed, a pilot continues flying, and some hours later an unrelated failure occured in an avionics box or a powered wire rattled loose and shorted to ground.

[AllThumbs]

Rainier, I'll be happy to implement a stand-alone open-source front end. I've sent a note to Matt already with a proposal.

Neil

[Mike S]

The switch and light on a PCB you show has me puzzled-----------as I see it, the light must be inserted into the panel from the front--------cant do that with the light soldered to the PCB.

Page 6 here. http://www.mglavionics.co.za/Docs/MGL%20ECB.pdf

[marsolgp]

The LED lens would probably unscrew. Allowing insertion into the panel from the back.