SAE ARP 5412 Aircraft Lightning Environment and Related Test Waveforms

In the SAE ARP 5412 standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) The environment and test waveforms described constitute the best lightning data and analysis currently available. The digitized media and levels contained in this standard represent the minimum values ​​currently required.

Lightning, like other weather events, is probabilistic in nature. Levels and waveforms vary significantly from one flash to the next. In this standard, standardized voltage and current waveforms are derived to represent the lightning environment outside an aircraft. These waveforms are used to evaluate the effects of lightning on aircraft. The external current waveforms are used to derive the transient voltage and current test waveforms that are expected to appear at wiring harnesses and equipment interfaces inside an aircraft. When deriving these test waveforms, aspects such as testability and important waveform characteristics that indicate lightning effectiveness were taken into account.

Both external and internal derived standard waveform parameters represent the characteristics of natural lightning flashes and include all relevant lightning protection parameters for aircraft. These standard waveforms are referred to in the SAE ARP 5412 standard by the following names: ideal standard lightning medium waveforms, ideal standard waveforms or simply ideal waveforms. Waveforms associated with the external environment are called the ideal standard external lightning medium.

In all cases, the more severe forms of each of the individual characteristics of the ideal standard external lightning medium waveforms were recorded in natural lightning flashes. The parameters combined in the ideal standard lightning medium waveforms provided in this standard represent a very severe environment.

The waveforms provided in the SAE ARP 5412 standard are considered sufficient to demonstrate suitability for the protection of an aircraft and its systems against the lightning environment.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services for aircraft lightning environment and related test waveforms within the scope of SAE ARP 5412 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.