Approach and/or RTIL

Capacitor Discharge
Flashing Lights

A.02.612e

Compliance with Standards

ICAO : Annex 14, Vol. I, part 1 , Para. 5.3.5.15 to
5.3.5.16 and 5.3.5.30 to 5.3.5.31 and 5.3.9.
FAA: According to L-849 or L-859 (AC 150/5345-51),
E-2628b and E-2651.
NATO: STANAG 3316.

Uses

The condenser-discharge flashing lights are basically a bad

weather landing aid. They are switched on when the
effective range of steady-burning approach lights, operating
at full intensity, becomes insufficient to ensure adequate
guidance. lt may be desirable to operate the system under
good visibility conditions, for instance to facilitate location of FAE-1-360 FIG. 1
the runway in urban areas. Therefore, a 3-level system is
recommended because the full-power of a 1-level system
will cause dazzling under good visibility, particularly at night.
Flashing Lights may be used in :
- ICAO and FAA precision approaches
- Runway threshold identification light systems (RTILS)
- Combined sequence flashing lights (SFL) and RTILS
- ODALS.

Salient Features

· Unidirectional elevated and inset lights have similar photo-

metric performances.
· Simple solid-state concept using no moving parts to
achieve the firing sequence. NEP/FL FIG. 2
· Simple wiring, apart from the power supply cable,
only two wires are necessary to control the firing sequece
of the full system. Four additional wires only are required
to control the energy level of a three-level system.
· Versatility, thanks to the simple coding concept enabling
any individual control cabinet to work at any location
in the System.
· Ease of installation, the individual control cabinets have
duplicated terminals for all power, control and monitoring
wires allowing direct termination of in- and outgoing
cables. One cable only between cabinet and flashing
light. No additional joint boxes required.
· No separate timer cabinet. Proper timing is ensured by a
PCB installed in one of the control cabinets. DCF-1-120 FIG. 3
· Monitoring capability. Indicates if one, two, three or more
than three lights are unserviceable by means of 2 wires
for the complete system.
· Accepts any input voltage from 190 to 253 V (50 Hz) or
200 to 268 V (60 Hz). Stabilizing input transformer
provides constant DC output voltage despite input
voltage variations, limits peak input current and reduces
interferences on the power supply line.
· 3-phase supply allows balancing of load across the 3
power lines.
· Anti-condensation heater and vents.
· Sun shade, acts as a double deck. Reduces ambient
temperature in cabinet for longer component life.
· Remote installations. Lights will operate properly even FIG. 4
installed at up to 50m from their individual control cabinet.

General Description

The ADB capacitor discharge light unit consists of a lighting

fixture and its individual control cabinet.
Lighting fixtures are available as :
- Elevated unidirectional : FAE-1-360
- Elevated omnidirectional : NEP/FL
- Inset unidirectional : DCF-1-120
Individual Control cabinets exist in two versions
- One-energy level : UDC 60/7
- Three-energy levels : UDC 360/7
A central control unit UCC is used as an interface to
remotely control and monitor the flashing systems.
All cabinets and fixtures can be installed in different ways.
The electrical connection between the light fixture and the
individual control cabinet uses a special 6-core cable whose
length can reach 50 m, without affecting the flashing
characteristics but with a slight drop in light intensity due
to cable losses.

Electrical Equipment Description

lndividual Control cabinets UDC (Fig. 5)

The cabinets are designed to supply and flash a 2000V DC

flashtube. The flash energy is stored in capacitors.
A coded counter in each cabinet, synchronised by the timer
in one of them and thus called master cabinet
determines the sequenced pulse triggering the lamp and
the capacitor discharges its energy into a light flash.
Each cabinet is supplied from one phase of a 50 or 60 Hz
single phase or three phase network. The average power
consumption per light unit is 250 VA at max. energy level
and at 2 flashes per second. FIG. 5
The cabinets are designed for operation in ambient
temperatures up to 50°C under all climatic conditions. They
are provided with a heater to prevent internal condensation
when the cabinet is remotely switched off.
A safety switch cuts off the power supply and discharges
the capacitors when opening the door or the light fixture.
The terminals can accept power cables up to 4 x 16 sqmm,
outer diameter 26 mm max. Monitoring and control cables
are limited to 4 sqmm.
For use in RTIL configuration the cabinets incorporate an
interlock circuit that stops the system in case one of the
two lamps fail.
Central Control Unit UCC
A central control unit may be used to remotely control and
monitor the flashing lights. lt contains a power section and
a control section. The power section consists of input
terminals for cables up to 4 x 35 sqmm plus earth output
terminals for two cables up to 4 x 16 sqmm and a circuit
breaker. The control section assures local or remote control
adapted to the requirements of the individual control
cabinets, i.e. one or three brightness steps. lt also contains
the main monitoring PCB. Surge diverters are included
where appropriate. Because of the required section for the
remote control cables, the use of a UCC control unit as a
remote control interface is mandatory for 3-level systems
exceeding 7 units.

Master PCB (one required per system)

Plugs into one of the individual control cabinets. Can be FIG. 6

adjusted to flash the system in sequence once or twice per
second.

Options

Positive back indication

Each individual control cabinet provides back indication

signals.
A central PCB analyzes the signals and indicates:
- That all lights are in operation
- One to three lamps have failed
- More than three lamps have failed.
FIG. 7
Levelling instrument (Fig. 6)

For the levelling of the FAE-1-360 fittings, the same

electronic levelling device used for the steady burning
approach fittings FAE-1-200 may be used. A simplified
device is also available.

Serie parallel adaptor for RTILS (Fig. 7)

For feeding a RTILS system from a 2,8 - 6,6A or 8,5 - 20A

series circuit. Details on request.

Electrical Supply FIG.8

All control cabinets require a single phase 22OV, 230 V or

240 V ± 5%, 50 or 60 Hz input. The system is powered
either from a single-phase (for smaller systems only) or a
three-phase - 4 wire power system. The load balancing
between phases is achieved in the internal wiring of the
individual control cabinets.
The individual control cabinet will operate satisfactorily for
input voltages between 190 and 253 (50 Hz) or between
200 and 268 V (60 Hz) without need for adjusting taps on
the input transformer.

Control signals from the remote control desk and/or from

the central cabinet UCC 7 are 48 V DC.
The power cable wiring arrangement allows the
anti-condensation heater to operate even while the system
is switched off.
Light Fixtures Construction

FAE-1-360 (Fig. 9)

1. Silicone rubber seal

2. Clamps (4)
3. PAR 56 xenon discharge lamp
4. Internal wiring
5. Terminal block
6. Trigger transformer
7. Die-cast aluminium body with safety switch
8. Cast aluminium slip fitter
9. Elevation adjustment screws (2)
FAE-1-360 FIG. 9

NEP/FL (Fig. 10)

1. Stainless steel screw with washer

2. Dome clamping ring made of polyester
3. Prismatic glass dome
4. Gasket
5. Dome positioning ring
6. Xenon discharge lamp
7. Safety switch
8. Lampholder assembly with terminal block
and trigger transformer
9. "O" ring seal
10. Fixture body made of polyester
11. Safety chain
12. Cast aluminium slip fitter
13. Cable gland.

DC F-1 -1 20 (Fig. 11) NEP/FL FIG. 10

1. High tensile strength screw (6)

2. "O" ring seal between cover and outer ring
3. "O" ring seal between cover and light base
4. Light housing steel
5. Prism. sealed in cover
6. Outer ring, cast iron
7. Cover, cast iron
8. Xenon discharge lamp
9. Highly polished aluminium reflector
10. Optical assembly fitted with reflector, lampholders,
rubber grommets, trigger transformer, safety switch
and terminals
11. Pressure release plug
12. Cable box
13."O" ring seal between bottom plate and light housing
14. Bottom plate, cast aluminium alloy
15. Cable terminal block
16. Safety switch
17. Trigger transformer.
DCF-1-120 FIG. 11
 Photometric Performances

Lamps specifications

Fitting Energy/flash Watt/sec Lamplife (hrs)*

(max)
FAE-1-360 60J 120 1000
NEP/FL 60J 120 1000
DCF-1-120 60J 120 1000

* at one flash/second

FIG. 12 FIG. 13
Performances
Min.
Effective Beam spread
Intensity
Fitting type Level Cd Hor. Vert.

FAE-1 -360 Low 150

Medium 800 ±15° 10°
High 8000

NEP/FL Low 80
Medium 240 360° -4 to +8°
High 1600

DCF-1-120 Low 150

Medium 500 ±15° +2 to +12°
High 5000

Installation FIG. 14

Elevated Lights

The standard installation arrangements are illustrated on

Fig. 12 to 14. The control cabinet is secured to a 60 mm
O.D. galvanized steel column screwed in a 2 inch gas
support. The cabling betvveen cabinet and lampholder is
protected by a flexible conduit. The power and control
cables run straight down the cabinet to a trench. The
flashing lights can be mounted on either an aluminium pipe
column fitted with a breakable coupling (Fig. 12) or on a
satety approach mast SMA/4 (Fig. 13), the control cabinet
being installed at a remote location outside the critical area
or at the foot of the mast (Fig.14). The cable length between
lampholder and control cabinet shall preferably not exceed
50 metres. The electronic levelling instrument (Fig. 6)
common to the FAE-1-360 and the FAE-1-200 steady
burning approach light, allows for easy and accurate setting
of the FAE-1-360. A simpler levelling device is available for
systems installed at low height above ground level. FIG. 15

lnset Lights

The lighting fixture with its outer ring are mounted on

a LB4 steel base (Fig. 15) The control cabinet is secured to
a 60 mm O.D. galvanized steel column screwed in a 2 inch
gas support. The special 6-core cable between the flasher
and the cabinet runs through a 60 mm O.D. PVC pipe.
Finishes

FAE-1 -360 : Baked polyester powder coating. Colour :

aviation yellow. Stainless steel hardware.

NEP/FL : Grey through-coloured polyester housing.

Stainless steel hardware.

DCF-1-120 : Cadmium plated iron.

Stainless steel hardware.

Cabinets : Reinforced polyester, through-coloured ICAO CAT II FIG. 16

in grey.
Sun cover : anodized aluminium.
Mounting system : hot dip galvanized steel.
Stainless steel hardware

Configurations

The capacitor discharge lights are used

in various configurations :

- To supplement steady burning lights as for instance in an SSALR FIG. 17

ICAO Cat. II precision approach system (Fig. 16)

- To complete a reduced steady burning light pattern

as in a SSALR-system (Fig. 17)

- As runway threshold identification lights (RTILS) (Fig.18)

- As a simple approach lighting pattern for non-precision

approaches (ODALS) (Fig. 19).

RTILS FIG. 18

ODALS FIG. 19
Ordering Code Outline Dimensions in mm

FAE-1-360 - 3 - S
Type of fitting
FAE-1-360
NEP/FL
DCF-1-120

Control cabinet
UDC 60/7 :1
UDC 360/7 :3

Special requirements to be specified

in full text = S FAE-1-360 Fig. 20

Complete. delete or modify as necessary.

Essential Accessories

Master PCB (1 required per configuration)

Central control cabinet (mandatory for 3-level system

exceeding 7 units - one required per system)
- Outdoor stand alone version
- Indoor version (w.o. cabinet) for incorporation
in switchboard NEP/FL Fig. 21

Mounting accessories : please contact ADB to discuss

the most convenient solution.

Dedicated 6-core cable (and flexible conduit)

for the connection between each flashing light and

its individual control cabinet in required lengths.

Options :

- Series parallel adaptor (for RTILS only) DCF 1-120 Fig. 22

- 6,6A/220V or 20A/220V 50 Hz
- 6,6A/220V or 20A/220V 60 Hz.

Packing Data

Type Net Gross Cardboard Box (cm)

Weight Weight
(kg) (kg)

FAE-1-360 1,5 2 30 x 23 x 23
NEP/FL 5,4 6 30 x 30 x 46
UDC360/7 Fig. 23
DCF-1-120 50
Outer ring 18 83 86 x 65 x 64
UDC 360/7 27 38 80 x 60 x 40
UDC 60/7 37 48 80 x 60 x 40
UCC 7-3 29 40 80 x 60 x 40

N.B. : Accessories suplied in bulck.

 Suggested Specification
The Capacitor Discharge Unidirectional Flashing Light shall be in compliance with ICAO
Annex 14, Volume I, para. 5.3.5.15, 5.3.5.16, 5.3.5.31 and in accordance with FAA L-849
(AC 150/5345-51) and E-2628b specifications. The Omnidirectional Flashing Light shall
be in compliance with ICAO Annex 14,Volume I, para. 5.3.9 and in accordance with FAA
L-859 and E-2651. The system will be of solid state concept controlled by a timer prin-
ted circuit board plugged in one of the individual cabinets.
The control cabinet shall be capable of delivering the flash energy to the lamp at three
different levels (alternatively one level). lt shall be weatherproot and fitted with breathing
system, anti-condensation heater and a safety switch de-energizing the control cabinet
and discharging the storage capacitors when the door is not perfectly closed. The con-
trol cabinets shall operate properly at any input voltage ranging from 190 to 253V, 50 Hz
or from 200 V to 268 V, 60 Hz without need for adjustment taps. The sequence control
shall be done by simple coding at the firing control circuit using
a timing pulse emitted by only one of the control cabinets of the
system and distributed to all cabinets by a common,
two-core cable. For RTIL, the two cabinets
shall be interlocked to de-energize the whole RTIL
system in case of failure of one of the two lamps.
Where applicable, a central control unit suitable either for
outdoor or indoor installation shall be used. This unit shall house the electrical equip-
ment protecting the power cables and shall act as an interface between the individual
control cabinets and the remote control system signals. It shall be possible to add a
plug-in printed circuit for positive monitoring of the lamp status using two wires
for the whole system.
The lights shall house the trigger transformer and a safety switch de-energizing the con-
trol cabinet when the light fitting is not perfectly closed. They shall use a Xenon dischar-
ge tube having an expected minimum life of 500 hours at the highest energy level.
Their light performance shall comply with ICAO, STANAG and FAA requirements. Each
light fitting will be connected to its control cabinet through a dedicated 6-core cable.
The inset light shall be made from ferrous alloy suitably protected against corrosion.
The light shall resist all stresses imposed by impact, rollover and static load of present-
day aircraft without damage to light and to aircraft and vehicle tyres.
The light shall suit for mounting on a standard FAA steel base. lt shall be equipped with 2/04.97. Subject to modifications. Order Nr. E10001-A35-A46-V1-7600
a pressure release plug to facilitate removal of inner cover and testing on waterthight-
ness before (re-)installation.
The elevated light shall be lightweight, corrosion proof and designed for installation on a
35273525 PA 03972 Dispo 21649 SEK 21856 11U1168

60 mm O.D. mounting interface. They shall have either an unidirectional or an omnidi-

rectional light distribution according to the order.

N.V. ADB S.A.

Leuvensesteenweg, 585 - B 1930 Zaventem - Belgium
Tel : 32/2/722.17.11 - Fax : 32/2/722.17.64 - Telex : 22154
Companies in France, U.K. and U.S.A. - Agents all over the world.