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Fault Code/ECAM Warning: ENG1 PYLON LOOP INOP First Issue Date: 06-JUN-2016
ENG2 PYLON LOOP INOP
L WING LOOP A INOP
L WING LOOP B INOP
R WING LOOP A INOP
R WING LOOP B INOP
APU LOOP INOP
Model: Last Publication Date: 29-SEP-2017
Manufacturer:
Status: Closed
Applicability:
A320fam neo
Reference / Documentation:
Description
Several cases of ATA3622 LOOP INOP class 2 fault messages have been reported
In-Service on A320neo fleet.
The faults may occur In-Flight and On-Ground, affecting Pylon and Wing OHDS
loops, and are not confirmed / isolated due to intermittency when triggering, then
System BITE Test is clearing the fault.
Consequence
Once the first faults are triggered, action on aircraft is required either for
troubleshooting to temporary clear the fault or replacing parts to fix the issue.
Note: APU Loop being installed as single loop, then one fault would lead to loss of
detection and consequently NOGO item.
Investigation Status
These “LOOP INOP” occurrences on A320 neo A/C are suspected to result from
oxidation/corrosion of the OHDS mating cable connectors leading to high centre
wire resistance. The phenomenon is accelerated depending on humidity and
temperature conditions.
Note: on A320neo the OHDS loops are continuously monitored, hence the system
more sensitive to any change of OHDS loop status both on ground and in flight.
The Root Cause investigation confirmed the corrosion of mating cables connectors
as the main contributor to LOOP INOP fault messages.
Maintenance Information
Permanent Solution
Software and hardware improvements have been launched based on A350 & A380
In-Service experience and lessons learnt:
The OHDS loop monitoring logics are refined in a new BMC software
standard (S4.2).
Associated SB 36-1070 has been released in February 2017 and production
A/C have been delivered fitted with BMC S4.2 from March 2017.
The new mating cables developed by Kidde vendor and inherited from A380
and A350 programs are introduced on A320neo family.
Main changes consist in:
Change to the finish of the connector pins and shell and insert
assemblies to improve electrical conductivity and reduce contact surface
and force to minimize micro-fretting and oxidation effects
Finish change from passivation layer to gold plating, intended to
increase the robustness of the connector to the center wire resistance
Wire strain relief modified to better retain the wire. Crimp sleeve design
changed to retain the shield bushing, also changed dimensionally and
material PTFE to Glass Filled PTFE
For production A/C, these new mating cables have been incorporated in the
APU loop from May 2017 (POE MSN 7600) and in the wing loops from
beginning of September 2017 (POE MSN 7839).
Regarding the pylon loops, CFM A/C have been incorporated with
these new mating cables from mid-Sept 2017 (POE: MSN 7854) and
PW A/C from April 2018 (POE MSN 8186).
Retrofits Monitoring
Retrofit Information Letter: YES First Issue Date: 23-FEB-2017
Last Publication Date: 24-AUG-2017
Status: Closed