3 ms·
From the second link, >Interestingly the indicators are incandescent bulbs… >an odd choice as they have used LEDs as indicators on the PCBs as we will see lat
by dexen 8y ago
From the second link,
>Interestingly the indicators are incandescent bulbs…
>an odd choice as they have used LEDs as indicators on the PCBs as we will see later.
Lightbulbs have well-understood failure mode (open circuit) and detection of such failures; it's exceedingly rare for a lightbulb to fail half-way. Contrast that with LEDs which can fail while remaining as either open or closed circuit. This (costly & lengthy airworthiness certification aside) is why even modern airliners use lightbulbs for avionics indicators - often in redundant pairs. One of very few maintenance items commercial pilots are allowed, and indeed trained, to perform routinely is replacing the indicator lighbulbs.
In-depth coverage by Mentour Pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RifyTCwwNy0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RifyTCwwNy0
- exikyut 8y agoTIL! For a few seconds I started thinking about packaging LEDs with onboard LDRs so any failure that results in not-100%-light-output produces an open circuit... but I can see the result having too many moving parts to comfortably pass certification. If such a thing is even possible to make. Your mention that LEDs can fail closed rules out a current-consumption monitoring system... And then a "light up all the indicator lights" button (which IIRC does exist?) connected to a camera and machine vision system would _work_, but it'd probably be a ton more expensive (to build _properly_) than just sticking with incandescent bulbs.