GE continues to invest in the development of groundbreaking and industry leading technology in the field of primary and secondary power distribution. We then use this flexible technology and know-how, rather than a fixed product, to develop with our customer the best solution for their needs.

• Arc Fault Detection

• Prognostics and Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM)

• Wire Fault Location - Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

Arc Fault Detection

GE Arc Fault Detection Technology provides protection against series and parallel electrical arcing faults, which can be a hazard to airplanes and their associated systems. Arc Fault Circuit Breakers are able to distinguish normal electrical load waveforms from arcing events that can lead to overheated wiring and have been shown in some cases to result in fire. These electrical arcs can be caused by worn, damaged or contaminated insulation in wiring or connectors. GE have developed arc fault detection technology specifically targeted at aerospace applications, which will de-energise the electrical circuit in the event of a fault. This Arc Fault Detection Technology is integrated into the control systems of GE latest Power Distribution System, with no impact to weight or volume of the existing. Arc Fault Detection functions can be enabled or disabled as required by the customer.

Prognostics and Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM)

Microprocessors embedded in digitally controlled power distribution systems provide an unprecedented, affordable and inherent opportunity to monitor an electrically powered vehicle's systems health. Data transmitted to and from these controllers can be used to characterize the system and component operating signatures, thereby enabling advanced diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. These capabilities help ensure a high mission reliability rate as well as reduce life cycle ownership costs.

GE, has developed and demonstrated health management (diagnostics, prognostics and decision aids) algorithms for electric actuation and fuel pumps/valves. Algorithm development is based sound engineering approaches supported by data collected from seeded and accelerated run-to-failure laboratory testing.

GE has performed an end to end, hardware-in-the-loop (electric actuator, fuel pump, fuel valve, arc fault, and power distribution unit) demonstration with on-line data generation to show the integration of the technology into a realistic setting. Our 4th generation SSPCs currently in the Modular Power Tile product enable high rate data capture for advanced load prognostics.

Wire Fault Location - Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)

GE continue to develop a non intrusive technology to detect the location of wiring faults. The objective of this development activity is to develop software to automate the process of TDR waveform interpretation and incorporate the technology in to the power and utilities systems of the future providing the user with unrivalled maintenance information