Direct and In-Direct Lightning Effects testing in Oxford | Element

About Element Oxford

Element Oxford, previously known as Culham Lightning Studies Unit (CLSU), was originally established in 1972 and acquired by Element in 2018.

Located in Abingdon, UK, the test facility provides comprehensive lightning testing services and consultancy to the aerospace and defence sectors. It’s the only commercial laboratory in the country with the capability to test aerostructures for the effects of direct lightning strikes (DO160/ED14 Section 23 testing).

With highly customisable generators our expert team are also able to cover a large array of ground based and bespoke lightning test waveforms.

External Aviation Equipment

Lights
Antennas
Satcom Radomes
Missiles

Internal Aviation Equipment

Component level Pin Injection/Cable Bundle
System level Cable Bundle
Full Aircraft level tests and modelling to determine aircraft ATL’s

Aircraft Structures

Aircraft Superstructure
Radomes
Flaps
Fuel Tank Access Covers
Helicopter blades
Helicopter Borne Electrostatic Discharge Testing (HESD) as per MIL-STD-331D
Propellers
Drop Tanks

Ground based Lightning Protection

Wind Turbines
Telecommunications and signalling networks
Low-voltage power distribution systems

Indirect Effects of lightning testing / advisory Aircraft Level:

Full Aircraft Testing/Modelling to EUROCAE ED105B / SAE ARP5416 section 6
Aircraft Lightning Zoning to EUROCAE ED-84A / SAE ARP5414

Indirect Effects of lightning testing Aviation components:

DO160- D/E/F/G Section 22
EUROCAE ED-14G: SECTION 22
MIL STD 461 G CS 117
SPE-J-000-E-1000 LEMP EFA 1 (up to 30kA) and LEMP EFA 2
AECTP 250 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
AECTP-500 ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TEST AND VERIFICATION

Indirect Effects of Lightning (Other):

EN 2591-214 Elements of electrical and optical connection, Test Methods, Part 214: Lightning strike, current and voltage pulse
IEC 61000-4-5 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-5: Testing and measurement techniques - Surge immunity test (up to 40kv / 20kA)
IEC 60243-3 Electric strength of insulating materials - Test methods - Part 3: Additional requirements for 1,2/50 μs impulse tests
IEC 61643-1 Low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 1: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power distribution systems - Requirements and tests

Direct Effects of lightning testing:

High Voltage Strike Attachment tests
DO160- D/E/F/G Section 23.4.1
High Current Lightning testing using waveforms as per EUROCAE ED 84A / SAE ARP5412 following testing methodology as per EUROCAE ED105B / SAE ARP5416 Section 5.1
ED105B Section 5.1.1 Initial Attachment Tests
ED105B Section 5.1.2 High Voltage testing for determining the Distance between diverters
ED105B Section 5.1.3 Swept leader or Channel Attachment tests
ED105B Section 5.1.4 High Voltage Strike
Attachment tests on models

High Current Physical Damage Tests:

Test Waveforms
High Current Lightning testing using waveforms as per ED 84A
Current Waveforms
Waveform A 2kA to 200kA
Waveform Ah up to 150kA
Waveform D up to 140kA
Waveform B as per ED84A
Waveform C* as per ED84A
Waveform C as per ED84A
Waveform 5A up to 120kA
Waveform 5B up to 30kA
Waveform 10/350 to 15kA as per IEC 61400-24:2019
Other bespoke waveforms are possible

Test Methods:

DO160- D/E/F/G Section 23.4.2 following testing methodology as per ED105B / ARP 5416
ED105B 5.2.1 Arc Entry Tests
ED105B 5.2.2 Non-Conductive Surfaces Tests
ED105B 5.2.3 Conducted Current Tests
ED105B 5.2.4 Current Transfer to underlying systems
ED105B 5.2.5 Measurement of Injected Transients in External Hardware

Fuel Systems Tests: