An Overview of MIL-STD-704, MIL-HDBK-704, 28 Volt DC Aircraft Utilization Compliance Testing, Electrical Power Quality Causes and Impacts

Aircraft electrical power quality effects the operation and life of avionics equipment. The military interface document that defines aircraft electrical power at the input to utilization equipment is MIL-STD-704. Testing is required to demonstrate compatibility of avionics with aircraft electrical power. This paper summarizes the aircraft electrical operating conditions and power groups of MIL-STD-704. The paper also gives an overview of the test guidance for 28 volt DC aircraft utilization equipment provided in the recently published handbook MIL-HDBK-704, “Guidance for Test Procedures for Demonstration of Utilization Equipment Compliance to Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics”. Common causes of power quality parameters and the effects on avionics are given.