Boeing will introduce a new wiring standard for the 787 to reduce weight, improve maintainability and address a spacing issue between wires, according to 787 supplier Spirit AeroSystems.
Starting with Airplane 13, 787 structural partners responsible for stuffing aircraft sections will deliver the revised wiring standard known as NC5 or Net Change 5, a consolidation of design changes that represent a minor blockpoint for the programme, says Harold Leslie, Spirit's senior manager for 787 systems integration.
Six bundles were eliminated with the latest NC5 revision, which also resolves issues with the distance of some wires from power feeders and other cables, says Leslie.
He adds that cables in the original configuration were picking up signals jumping from wire to wire. The consolidation of bundles was relatively limited on NC5, because the ring posts that affix each bundle to the structure has a limit of three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
Boeing says that the original wiring definition - not the NC5 standard - will fly on ZA001 when it makes its maiden flight later this year. Boeing adds that the original wiring definition has been cleared for flight.
The first batch of production 787s - seven through 12 - will have the existing wiring removed and reinstalled to bring the aircraft to the latest NC5 standard.
To date, Spirit has delivered ten 787 shipsets to Boeing, which consist of six flight test aircraft and four production 787s.
Boeing plans an entry into service for the 787 by the end of 2010. Boeing currently holds 850 orders for the type.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
