march2023 - 13

If a potential issue is spotted, it is
recommended to perform a load
bank test with a thermal imager
to check for any hot spots.
Load bank testing with a thermal
imager will be able to identify hot
spots within the cable so that it
can be replaced before the issue
occurs.
made contact sections, which only truly
fit their cable. Many make the mistake
of forcing a contact section onto another
manufacturer's cable; thus, creating a
massive safety hazard that could easily
lead to water intrusion, which in turn
could lead to arc flashes or fires at the
aircraft plug.
Adding this to your visual inspection
before use any time you're getting ready
to power up would prove beneficial. If
duct tape is being used to keep a contact
section connected to the cable or to patch
an exposed conductor, chances are this
is a safety hazard and should be replaced
immediately.
Cable
Longevity
One of the
most common
questions we field
from our customers pertaining
to GPU cables is, " How long
do they last? "
Although that's a good question,
It is recommended that each phase socket
(A-D) be tested with a pin gauge tool and a
tension meter. Each of these phases should
test anywhere in between 15 lbs. and 25 lbs.
cable is still performing at a high level,
we would recommend scheduling load
bank tests monthly for the remainder
of the cable's life.
there really isn't a specific answer to it.
There are many variables that contribute
to the longevity of these cables.
Independent testing recommends
that cables should be replaced after
4,800 insertions. In a hub environment
with eight turns a day, that comes
out to roughly two years. A high quality
400 Hz GPU cable is made to last
several years in a very harsh environment.
It's not uncommon to find a
cable still in use after 5-10+ years of
service. Although we don't like to put a
set amount of time on how long a cable
should last, a general rule of thumb
is that if it's been in use for longer
than 10 years, we would recommend
retiring it.
The older the cable, the more
Using a proper cable test kit, the
socket retention in the cable head
should also be inspected regularly
to ensure a proper aircraft
connection.
problems we tend to find. This is why
implementing a preventative maintenance
program to regularly check GPU
cables is so important. Load bank testing
with a thermal imager will be able
to identify hot spots within the cable
so that it can be replaced before the
issue occurs.
This is especially important with
older cables, which should be tested
more frequently than newer ones.
After a few years of service, if your
Conclusion
Basic regular preventative maintenance
is key. There are extremely high amounts
of electricity passing through these
cables every day and the ramp can be a
brutal environment for all GSE.
Serious employee injuries can be
avoided and expensive aircraft damage
can be prevented by taking the
time to effectively inspect the equipment
before use.
With proper care and maintenance,
a high quality 400Hz GPU cable will provide
years of reliable service.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BILL STAHL
Bill Stahl is area sales
manager at ITW GSE.
He has been with the
company's cables and
hoses team since 2019.
Since coming on board
with ITW GSE, he has
focused on being a
consultant to his customers to ensure that
they make the best connections to get
the most out of their GPUs and PCAs. He's
always willing to assist with training and
troubleshooting.
March 2023 || AviationPros.com || 13
ITW GSE
ITW GSE
ITW GSE
ITW GSE
http://www.AviationPros.com
march2023

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