RTCA DO-160 Section 22 covers the transient current and voltage spike introduced into electronics cables as a result of the magnetic field generated by a large surge of charge traveling through the frame of the aircraft. Sometimes called a lightning transient or lightning induced effect.
There are multiple test levels depending on the enviroment ranging from Well-protected environment to Severe electromagnetic environments.
RTCA DO-160 Section 22 Injection Methods:
Pin Injection – This method is used to directly inject the waveform into connector pins of both cables and printed wiring boards
Cable Bundle Induction – This method uses a coupling transformer to inductively couple the waveform onto the cable bundle
Ground Injection – This method is often used as an alternate method to inject the waveform onto the ground wire of the unit under test, referenced to the Ground plane that is located on the surface of the test table.
RTCA DO-160 Section 22 Waveforms:
| Waveform | Waveform Type | Specifications |
| W1 | 6.4/69 | Current Wave |
| W2 | 0.1/6.4 | Voltage Wave |
| W3 | 1MHz/10MHz | Voltage Wave |
| W4 | 6.4/69 | Voltage Wave |
| W5A | 40/120 | Current Wave |
| W5B | 50/500 | Current Wave |
| W6 | 0.25/4 | Current Wave |
RTCA DO-160 Section 22 Waveform Power Levels
There are five Test Power Levels, where Level 1 is the lowest and Level 5 is the highest.
Level 1
- Equipment and wiring are installed in a well protected environment
Level 2
- Equipment and wiring are in a partially protected environment
Level 3
- Equipment and wiring are in a moderate electromagnetic environment
Level 4 and 5
- Equipment and wiring are in severe electromagnetic environments
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