What are EWIS connectors?
What are EWIS connectors?
Meet the Connector: EWIS Connectors
EWIS connectors and cables are components used in the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) of an aircraft. The EWIS represents a unified approach to aircraft wiring design that encompasses all the wiring, connectors, terminals, and related devices necessary for transmitting electrical power and signals, and carries information from the sensor systems to pilots, then conveys their commands to the engines and other functional equipment on the aircraft.
EWIS was introduced in 2007 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to a combination of factors, including several high-profile flight incidents related to electrical wiring, aging transport systems, and the proliferation of advanced technologies in aircraft. In parallel, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) implemented similar regulations and guidelines to ensure consistency and safety in aircraft wiring systems across Europe.
EWIS design continues to evolve with the development of new modes such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and urban-air/advanced-air mobility (UAM/AAM) air taxis. Connector companies including TE Connectivity are working with regulators to test and develop interconnects that optimize size and weight components and cable assemblies.”
TE Connectivity’s SPEC 55 wire is lightweight, reliable, and abrasion-resistant and used extensively across harsh environment EWIS applications.
Design Notes
Standardization: EWIS is not a single standard but rather a set of regulations and guidelines related to the design, installation, inspection, and maintenance of electrical wiring systems in aircraft. These regulations help ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft electrical systems. The rules governing EWIS are in the FAA’s Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25, Subpart H — “Certification of Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems on Transport Category Airplanes” (2007).
Products: A wide range of interconnects and other components are designed and tested to meet approval for EWIS. Connectors, wires, cable assemblies, as well as housings, fasteners, and cable management must meet strict quality and performance requirements
Radiall’s EPX rectangular modular connector is used in major commercial and business jet aircraft in EWIS systems
Markets and Applications
Transportation, Military and Aerospace, Automotive
EWIS was originally developed for both commercial and military aircraft, but EWIS principles and components are applicable in a wide range of industries beyond aviation, wherever complex electrical systems require reliable and efficient operation. Spacecraft, missiles, and satellites; electric and hybrid vehicles; commercial trucks and buses; commercial ships, submarines, and yachts; railways; and Industrial and Datacom applications.
SOURIAU – SUNBANK Connection Technologies (available from TTI Inc. and ICC (Interstate Connecting Components) has been working in partnership with different airframers, focusing on products qualification to ensure a reliable use of components over their expected lifetime. These qualifications are done either according to airframers’ specifications.
Suppliers
EWIS approved interconnects are available from many suppliers, including Radiall, TE Connectivity, MN Wire, and Souriau
To learn more about the suppliers highlighted in this article, visit the Preferred Supplier pages for Interstate Connecting Components, Radiall, TE Connectivity, and TTI Inc.
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