Ever wondered how Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) power systems came to be? Let's take a quick look at the fascinating history behind 6.6 Amps and 20 Amps circuits! 💡 🚂 Engineers initially borrowed 200W - 30V front lamps from locomotives for AGL applications, giving birth to 6.6 Amps circuits. However, for low visibility conditions, high-intensity approach lights, especially red barrettes and threshold lights, needed more power: the bulb was emitting white light, passing through red or green absorption filters. Quite energy-consuming!⚡The existing bulbs found suitable for that were ~ 500W-24V-20A. These powerful lamps led to the development of 20 Amps circuits, which in some airports still coexist with 6.6 Amps circuits to this day. CCRs also had to deliver higher capacities, reaching capacities of up to 70 kW for high intensity AGL systems. 🌟 For safety reasons, the preferred solution was to increase amperage up to 20 Amp, and not voltage in the primary circuits: for biggest approach circuit loads, using 6.6 Amps would mean the CCR would feed the circuit with more than 10 000 volts! 😮 ! Nowadays, an AXON Approach Centreline light is 29 VA. What a huge energy saving compared to the former incandescent lights! However, history repeats itself: The lights used determine the power system. For LED circuits we witness an overall downsize of traditional CCRs and the emergence of new power systems like the 2 Amp APS or the DPS! This current value is also closer to the maximum input current of these LED. As professionals in AGL, let's appreciate this rich history and continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in airfield lighting! ✈️💼 #AGLhistory #airfieldlighting #innovation #ADBSAFEGATE
Lukasz Kornacki
5mo
ADB SAFEGATE Training Academy Constant current technology we use today in airports has not changed technical principle since time of wooden planes carried passengers with fabric covered wings. Maybe it’s time to change this outdated technology ? Put it to historical graveyard and finally move to 21-st century (there is no need to keep constant current in order to keep constant fixture illumination over RWY length - since decades there are better ways to achieve this target)
Ross Johnson
5mo
Very interesting Quentin. There is a great quote I once read “Embrace the future, cherish the past; they are the footsteps that guide us on our journey forward “. Perhaps Lukasz is still blinded by the headlights of the “Cessna Fiat”, hitting that enormous solar light in that VERY amusing demonstration video.
On the picture the original "LC" thyristor CCR, from ADB-ALNACO proudly made in Columbus, OH.