Circuit Breakers

Pitot heat switch would not stay in the on position. On troubleshooting, the technician found circuit breaker/switch (p/n 35-38013263) to be at fault. AD 2008-13-17 had been completed 2427 flight hours prior. Recommend breaker manufacturer develop a more durable product or aircraft maker look for a different source for its circuit breakers.

Editorial Staff

Monday, October 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft circuit breakers exhibit various failure modes, including not tripping when necessary, tripping prematurely, or failing to stay engaged, potentially leading to power loss or continuous discharge.
These issues stem from both internal component failures, such as cracked housings and worn mechanisms, and external factors like pests causing electrical shorts.
The incidents highlight a need for more durable circuit breaker designs and improved product sourcing by aircraft manufacturers to enhance reliability.