[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 232 (Monday, December 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72499-72500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23631]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Aircraft, Trip-Free Single Phase 115 VAC, 400 Hz Arc Fault 
Circuit Breakers

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of, and requests 
comment on proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-178, Aircraft, 
Trip-Free Single Phase 115 VAC, 400 Hz Arc Fault Circuit Breakers. This 
proposed TSO tells persons seeking a TSO authorization or letter of 
design approval what minimum performance standards (MPS) their arc 
fault circuit breakers must meet to be identified with the appropriate 
TSO marking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 4, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on this proposed TSO to: Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Avionics Systems Branch (AIR-130), 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Attn: Ms. Charisse 
Green. Or, you may deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Charisse Green, AIR-130, Room 815, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. Telephone (202) 385-4637, fax (202) 385-4651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    You are invited to comment on the proposed TSO by submitting 
written data, views, or arguments to the above address. Comments 
received may be examined, both before and after the closing date, in 
room 815 at the above address, weekdays except federal holidays, 
between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Director, Aircraft Certification 
Service, will consider all comments received on or before the closing 
date before issuing the final TSO.

Background

    The proposed TSO-C178 provides a minimum operating standard for 
Trip-

[[Page 72500]]

Free Single Phase 115 VAC, 400 Hz circuit breakers, which provides an 
equivalent level of thermal protection to existing thermal circuit 
breakers, with the added ability of detection and reaction to arc fault 
conditions, thus diminishing damage to the wiring system caused by 
prolonged arcing events. The Arc Fault Circuit Breaker thereby 
diminishes damage to the aircraft wiring from the circuit breaker to 
the first serial load element, which reduces the potential of igniting 
surrounding material.

How To Obtain Copies

    You can view or download the proposed TSO from its online location 
at: www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. At this Web page, select ``Technical 
Standard Orders.'' At the TSO page, select ``Proposed TSOs.'' For a 
paper copy, contact the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. Note, SAE International documents are copyrighted and may not 
be reproduced without the written consent of SAE International. You may 
purchase copies of SAE International documents from: SAE International, 
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, or directly from 
their Web site: http://www.sae.org/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 28, 2005.
Susan J. M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23631 Filed 12-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M