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We work with our customers to create solutions that take their unique needs into account. Contact us today to learn more about how AETC is working to provide protection against ESDS and EMI for military, private and commercial aviation applications.

EMI- and ESD-sensitive components can suffer serious damage when an event occurs, even if the discharge is of a relatively low voltage.

ESDS is a complex problem that requires a multi-layered approach to solve. Although taking the proper precautions to shield your equipment from damage is a strong step in the right direction, equipment manufacturers must continue improving their products to be more resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ESD.

Finding innovative solutions for managing EMI/ESD sensitivity levels is part of our mission at AETC. We’re a Texas-based original equipment manufacturer dedicated to providing our clients with the best, most reliable aircraft pyrotechnic components possible. That commitment includes continuously improving our products to resist ESD and EMI in various settings.

Experts believe that electrostatic discharge (ESD) events are behind many failures in the aviation industry, which is full of delicate ESD-sensitive (ESDS) components.

Taking proper precautions and following important industry and safety standards is key for preventing EMI- and ESD-related damage to your aviation systems. Some of the standards you should pay attention to include:

To protect any devices containing ESDS components, it’s important to use items with ESD-safe classification, such as anti-static mats and chairs that conduct electric charges away from electronic devices.

EMI and ESD are two electrical phenomena that can seriously affect electronic aviation equipment such as cockpit gauges, electronic initiators and more. Understanding what they are and what causes them can help aviators significantly reduce their risk of component failure.

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ESD is an unintended energy transfer that naturally occurs when there is a difference in potential between two charge-carrying bodies. Touching a doorknob in winter and getting shocked is a common example of ESD, but the discharge voltage must be high for us to feel it. Electronic devices can sustain damage at much lower levels.

An ESDS component is an electronic component that is more likely to experience damage or failure due to an ESD event. Generally, the smaller and faster a component or device is, the higher its sensitivity level.

Devices containing these and other ESDS components are at increased risk of ESD-related failure and must be labeled accordingly. The symbol for ESDS components is a triangle with a reaching hand in the center, usually accompanied by warning text.

Prevention is key for protecting sensitive aviation equipment from EMI- and ESD-related damage, so it’s important to understand which devices are most at risk of ESD events.

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Prolonged exposure to EMI can cause a noticeable decline in equipment performance and, left unchecked, total malfunctions.

Training employees to recognize this label and other signs of ESD sensitivity can help you protect your equipment more effectively. Even the most experienced individual can benefit from a refresher course, just to ensure they know how to tackle the task in front of them.

EMI is an electrical phenomenon that occurs when electromagnetic signals from multiple sources disrupt the normal operation of electronic devices or systems. For example, a COM radio inside the cockpit of an aircraft might produce static when the vessel passes by a cell tower, which could prevent the pilot from conveying critical information to the control tower.

The sensitivity of an electronic component or system depends on several factors, including its material and typical operating conditions. Some common ESDS components include: