AMC 20-23 Effective: 05/09/2008

Annex IV to ED Decision 2008/007/R of 29/08/2008

AMC 20-23
Development of Electrical Standard Wiring Practices documentation

1 PURPOSE
This AMC provides acceptable means of compliance for developing an electrical standard
wiring practices document for operators, holders of and applicants for type certificates
(TC), applicants for supplemental type certificates (STC) and maintenance organisations.
The information in this AMC is based on recommendations submitted to the FAA from the
Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC). JAA and latterly
EASA are participating members of ATSRAC. The information in this AMC is derived from
the maintenance, inspection, and alteration best practices identified through extensive
research by ATSRAC working groups and Federal government working groups. This AMC
provides a means, but not the only means of creating a document that meets the
expectations of CS 25.1529 and Appendix H.

2 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this AMC is to promote a common format for documents containing
standard practices for electrical wiring, and to provide a summary of the minimum
content expected to be contained within that document. Although the title of the
document or manual is left to the discretion of the organisation, such a document will be
referred to in this AMC as the Electrical Standard Wiring Practices Manual (ESWPM).
Titles in other organisations for such document may be Standard Wiring Practices Manual
(SWPM) or Electrical Standard Practices Manual (ESPM).

3 APPLICABILITY
The guidance provided in this AMC is applicable to all operators, holders of and applicants
for TC, applicants for STC and maintenance organisations.

4 RELATED DOCUMENTS
• Regulation (EC) No. 216/2008 1
• Regulation No. 1702/2003 2
• Regulation No. 2042/2003 3
• EASA Certification Specification CS-25 Large Aeroplanes 4
• EU-OPS Commercial Air Transportation (Aeroplanes) 5

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Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 on common
rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency, and repealing Council
Directive 91/670/EEC, Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 and Directive 2004/36/EC (OJ L 79, 19.3.2008, p.1).
2
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003 of 24 September 2003 laying down implementing rules for the
airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as
for the certification of design and production organisations (OJ L 243, 27.9.2003, p. 6). Regulation as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 287/2008 (OJ L 87, 29.3.2008, p.3).
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Commission Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003 of 20 November 2003 on the continuing airworthiness of aircraft
and aeronautical products, parts and appliances, and on the approval of organisations and personnel involved
in these tasks (OJ L 315, 28.11.2003, p. 1). Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 376/2007 of
(OJ L 94, 4.4.2007, p. 18).
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Executive Director Decision No 2003/2/RM of 14 October 2003 on certification specifications, including
airworthiness codes and acceptable means of compliance, for large aeroplanes (« CS-25 »). Decision as last
amended by Executive Director Decision No 2008/006/R of 29 August 2008 (CS-25 Amendment 5).

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5 RELATED READING MATERIAL
a. EASA AMC-20
• AMC 20-21, Programme to Enhance Aircraft Electrical Wiring Interconnection
System Maintenance
• AMC 20-22, Aircraft Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Training Programme
b. FAA 14 CFR Parts
• Part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and Parts
• Part 25, Airworthiness Standards, Transport Category Airplanes
• Part 43, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
• Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules
• Part 119, Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators
• Part 121, Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations
• Part 125, Certification and Operations: Airplanes Having a Seating Capacity of 20
or More Passengers or a Maximum Payload Capacity of 6,000 pounds or More
• Part 129, Operations: Foreign Air Carriers and Foreign Operators of U.S.-
Registered Aircraft Engaged in Common Carriage
• Part 135, Operating Requirements: Commuter and On-demand Operations and
Rules Governing Persons on Board such Aircraft
• Part 145, Repair Stations
c. FAA Advisory Circulars (AC)
• AC 25-16, Electrical Fault and Fire Protection and Prevention
• AC 25.981-1B, Fuel Tank Ignition Source Prevention Guidelines
• AC 43-12A, Preventive Maintenance
• AC 43.13-1B, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices for Repairs and
Alterations to Aircraft
• AC 43-204, Visual Inspection for Aircraft
• AC 43-206, Avionics Cleaning and Corrosion Prevention/Control
• AC 65-15A, Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Airframe Handbook, Chapter 11.
Aircraft Electrical Systems
• AC 25.17XX Certification of EWIS on Transport Category Airplanes
d. Reports
• Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Task 1 and 2, Aging
Systems, Final Report
http://www.mitrecaasd.org/atsrac/final_reports/Task_1&2_Final%20_August_2000
.pdf
• Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Task 3, Final Report
http://www.mitrecaasd.org/atsrac/final_reports/Task_3_Final.pdf
• Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Task 4, Final Report,
Standard Wiring Practices

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Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 of 16 December 1991 on the harmonisation of technical requirements
and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation (OJ L 373, 31.12.1991, p. 4). Regulation as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 8/2008 of 11 December 2007 (OJ L 10, 12.1.2008, p. 1).

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 http://www.mitrecaasd.org/atsrac/final_reports/Task_4_Final_Report_Sept_2000.
pdf
• Transport Aircraft Intrusive Inspection Project, (An Analysis of the Wire
Installations of Six Decommissioned Aircraft), Final Report, The Intrusive
Inspection Working Group, December 29, 2000
http://www.mitrecaasd.org/atsrac/intrusive_inspection.html
• Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee Task 7, Final Report,
Electrical Standard Wire Practices Manual (ESWPM)
http://www.mitrecaasd.org/atsrac/final_reports/Task_7_Final_Report-10-31-
2002.pdf
e. Other Documents
• ATA Specification 117 (Wiring Maintenance Practices/Guidelines)
• FAA Policy Statement Number ANM-01-04: System Wiring Policy for Certification
of Part 25 Airplanes, June 25, 2001

6 DEFINITIONS
Consumable materials: Materials consumed during the maintenance or repair of EWIS
which are not an eventual component of the EWIS.
Drip loop: The practice of looping a wire or wire bundle to provide a point lower than the
adjacent connector for moisture to collect.
Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS): See CS 25.1701.
Legacy document: An organisation’s ESWPM existing prior to the adoption of the
requirements of H25.5(a)(2) of Appendix H to CS-25.
Master Breakdown Index (MBI): An index developed to supplement a legacy document.
An MBI provides a means of finding information without the need for reformatting the
legacy SWPM. An example of an MBI is presented at the end of paragraph 9 of this AMC.
Separation: Defined as either spatial distance, or physical barrier, between wiring from
adjacent structure, systems or wiring; or the practice of installing wiring supporting
redundant or multi-channel systems.
Standard practices: Industry-wide methods for repair and maintenance of electrical wire,
cable bundles and coaxial cables. Procedures and practices for the inspection, installation
and removal of electrical systems components including, but not limited to: wire splices,
bundle attachment methods, connectors and electrical terminal connections,
bonding/grounding, etc.

7 STANDARDISED ESWPM FORMAT

A representative example of the standard format and sequence of major topics included
within an ESWPM is contained within Appendix A of this AMC.

8 MINIMUM ESWPM CONTENT

A definition and description of ESWPM minimum content is necessary to ensure that
operators and repair stations have at their disposal the information necessary to properly
maintain their airplanes. Although the original airframe manufacturer’s electrical
installation design philosophy concerning components, installation procedures,
segregation rules, etc. need not be included within the ESWPM, sufficient minimum
information should be provided to enable the end-user to maintain the aircraft in a
condition that conforms to the electrical installation design philosophy of the original

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manufacturer.
The content of any ESWPM should include, at a minimum, the following:
a. Front Matter
Provide information regarding the content and use of the ESWPM. Describe changes to
the document in a record of revisions. Ensure the document contains a table of contents
or index to allow the user to readily retrieve necessary information.
b. Safety Practices
Provide general instruction, cautions and warnings which describe safe practices
implemented prior to the start of any or all of the specific standard electrical practices
contained within the core of the ESWPM. Safety cautions, warnings or notes specific to
the procedure shall be placed within the body of the procedure.
c. Cleaning Requirements and Methods
“Protect, clean as you go” philosophy.
• Non-destructive methods for cleaning dust, dirt, foreign object debris (FOD),
lavatory fluid, and other contaminants produced by an aircraft environment from
wiring systems.
• Wire replacement guidelines when an accumulation of contaminants, either on the
surface and/or imbedded in the wire bundle, cannot be safely removed.
d. Wire and Cable Identification
(1) Specify requirements for wire and cable identification and marking to provide
safety of operation, safety to maintenance personnel, and ease of maintenance.
(2) Specify methods of direct wire marking. Also, identify specific requirements and
cautions associated with certain types of wire marking.
e. Wire and Cable Damage Limits
Specify limits to positively identify the thresholds where damaged wire/cable replacement
may be necessary and where repairs can be safely accomplished. Establish limits for each
applicable wire/cable type, if necessary.
(1) Include damage limits for terminals, studs, connectors, and other wiring system
components, as necessary.
f. Installation Clamping and Routing Requirements
(1) Specify the requirements for the installation of wiring systems with respect to
physical attachment to the aircraft structure. These requirements must be compatible
with the different environments applicable to aircraft and aircraft systems.
(2) Specify applicable methods of clamping, support, termination, and routing to
facilitate installation, repair, and maintenance of wires, wire bundles, and cabling.
(3) Specify minimum bend radii for different types of wire and cable.
(4) Specify minimum clearance between wiring and other aircraft systems and aircraft
structure.
(5) Include the requirements for the installation of wiring conduit with respect to
physical attachment, routing, bend radii, drain holes, and conduit end coverings.
(6) Emphasise special wiring protective features, such as spatial separation,
segregation, heat shielding, and moisture protection that are required to be maintained
throughout the life of the aircraft.
(7) Ensure necessary information for the maintenance of bonding, grounding and
lightning, high-intensity radio frequency (L/HIRF) provisions is included.

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(8) Include information on the use and maintenance of wire protective devices,
conduits, shields, sleeving etc. (this bullet is deleted in the FAA AC).
g. Repair and Replacement Procedures
Describe methods to safely repair and/or replace wiring and wiring system components.
(1) Include types and maximum numbers of splice repairs for wiring and any
limitations on the use of splices. When splicing wire, environmental splices are highly
recommended over non-environmental splices. Guidance should be provided on how long
a temporary splice may be left in the wire.
(2) Specify procedures for the repair, replacement, and maintenance of connectors,
terminals, modular terminal blocks, and other wiring components.
h. Inspection Methods
In wiring inspection methods, include a general visual inspection (GVI), or a detailed
inspection (DET), as determined by the Enhanced Zonal Analysis Procedure (EZAP).
Typical damage includes heat damage, chafing, cracked insulation, arcing, insulation
delaminating, corrosion, broken wire or terminal, loose terminals, incorrect bend radii,
contamination, and deteriorated repairs.
(1) Identify detailed inspections and, where applicable, established and emerging new
technologies non-destructive test methods to complement the visual inspection process.
Whenever possible, ensure that inspection methods can detect wiring problems without
compromising the integrity of the installation.
i. Customised data
Provide a location and procedures that allow users to include customised or unique data
such as that relating to STC, operator-unique maintenance procedures, etc.
A comprehensive listing of the typical content included within an ESWPM, including the
minimum required content described above, is contained within Appendix A of this AMC.

9 ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURE FOR LEGACY DOCUMENTS

The definition of a new layout and chapter format may require each organisation with an
existing ESWPM to reformat and to republish using the standardised format. Whether the
organisation produces a stand-alone manual or provides the electrical standard practices
as Chapter 20 of a wiring diagram manual, the resultant reorganisation would cause a
significant economical impact for both the authoring organisation and their end-users.
To address this concern, a conversion tool, identified in the last paragraph of this
chapter, was devised which takes the following variables into account:
• Effects on manufacturers’ current technical document editorial policy as it exists in
current legacy documents.
• Costs resulting from an immediate major manual overhaul.
• Inconvenience to end-users who are accustomed to the format they are currently
using.
When using a traditional paper format ESWPM, the most efficient method of retrieving
standard procedures and maintenance information has traditionally been to search in:
• the table of contents (TOC) and/or
• the indexes (i.e., alphanumerical index and/or numerical index, as available).
The ease and speed with which information may be found with these methods relies
heavily on the quality of the TOC and/or the indexes. For aircraft maintenance
technicians needing to locate and extract the pertinent and applicable data necessary to

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perform a satisfactory design modification or maintenance action, finding relevant data
may be time-consuming.
When using an electronic format, a search engine can often be used. This allows the user
to bypass the TOC or indexes in finding the needed procedure or data. By searching with
such alternative methods, a user can find information without needing to know the rules,
such as ATA references, governing assignment of the subject matter to its place in the
TOC.
The use of a conversion tool, identified as a Master Breakdown Index (MBI) is one
method of achieving a common format until existing legacy documents can be physically
altered or digitised to an electronic format. The intent of the MBI is to supplement the
TOC and existing indexes by providing to users a method of searching existing
documents using topical information rather than by part number, alphabetic subject, or
Chapter-Section-Subject reference. The arrangement of the MBI duplicates the
standardised format described in Paragraph 7 of this AMC, but does not require complete
rearrangement of legacy documents to achieve a common format. The MBI acts as a
conversion key used to effectively convert an existing document arrangement into the
proposed arrangement. In essence the MBI duplicates in paper form for legacy
documents the electronic search engine for HTML-based documents.

This is an example of an MBI which could be used to mitigate the need for legacy
documents to be reformatted to achieve the standardised format described above:

APPEARS IN THIS
GROUP MAJOR TOPIC DOCUMENT AS
SUBJECT
SAFETY PRACTICES 20-10-10
AIRPLANE ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS 20-20-12
GENERAL DATA
CONSUMABLE MATERIALS 20-00-11
WIRING MATERIALS 20-10-13
COMMON TOOLS 20-00-13
EWIS PROTECTION DURING
20-10-20
MAINTENANCE

ELECTRICAL WIRING EWIS CLEANING 20-10-20

INTERCONNECT SYSTEM EWIS INSPECTION 20-10-20
(EWIS) MAINTENANCE
EWIS TESTING 20-10-13
EWIS DISASSEMBLY 20-10-19
EWIS REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT 20-20-00
20-10-11
WIRE SEPARATION / SEGREGATION
20-10-12
ELECTRICAL BONDS AND GROUNDS 20-30-60
WIRING INSTALLATION
20-10-17
WIRE HARNESS INSTALLATION 20-10-18 Installation of
Sleeves on Wiring
WIRING ASSEMBLY WIRE AND CABLE TYPES 20-00-15
WIRE MARKING 20-60-01

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 APPEARS IN THIS
GROUP MAJOR TOPIC DOCUMENT AS
SUBJECT
WIRE HARNESS ASSEMBLY 20-50-01
WIRE INSULATION AND CABLE JACKET
20-90-12
REMOVAL
TERMINATION TYPE (SPECIFICS OF
20-61-44
TERMINATIONS)
DEVICE TYPE (SPECIFICS OF 20-80-09 Assembly of
ELECTRICAL DEVICES
ELECTRICAL DEVICE) Leach Relay Sockets
20-73-00 Fuel
SPECIFIC SYSTEM UNIQUE WIRING
Quantity Indicating
WIRING ASSEMBLIES/INSTALLATIONS
System
AIRLINE CUSTOMISED
AIRLINE SPECIFIED 20-91-00
DATA

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Appendix A: Groups, Major Topics, Standardised Sequence and Description of
Minimum Content
GROUP MAJOR TOPIC DESCRIPTION
Safety regulations and general safety
SAFETY PRACTICES precautions to prevent injury to personnel
and damage to the airplane
Definition of types of areas upon which
AIRPLANE
wiring configuration and wiring component
ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
selection is constrained
Wiring maintenance processing materials
GENERAL DATA
CONSUMABLE MATERIALS (solvents, aqueous cleaners, lubricants,
etc.)
Materials that become an integral part of the
wiring configuration excluding wire and
WIRING MATERIALS
cable, e.g., sleeves, shield material, tie
material, sealants, etc.
COMMON TOOLS Description and operation of common tools
EWIS PROTECTION Procedures to protect EWIS during airplane
DURING MAINTENANCE maintenance and modification
In support of inspection as well as
prevention of degradation and preparation
EWIS CLEANING for repair; recommended cleaning materials
and procedures based on type of
contamination
Criteria for correct installation, correct
wiring assembly configuration; damage
conditions and limits for wiring components
EWIS INSPECTION (wire and cable, termination types, electrical
EWIS devices); factors that warrant disassembly
MAINTENANCE for inspection; determination of cause of
damage
EWIS TESTING Wiring integrity testing
Data and procedures in support of
EWIS DISASSEMBLY inspection, cleaning when applicable; also
supports new wiring installation
Repair of wiring installation, wiring assembly
configuration, wiring components (wire and
EWIS REPAIR AND
cable, wiring terminations, electrical
REPLACEMENT
devices); wire and cable replacement;
wiring functional identification
Explanation of separation/segregation
WIRE SEPARATION/ categories, separation/segregation
SEGREGATION identification, and necessary conditions for
maintaining separation/segregation
WIRING
INSTALLATION ELECTRICAL BONDS AND Bond surface preparation, ground hardware
GROUNDS configurations, bond integrity testing

WIRE HARNESS Routing, supports; wiring protection, factors

INSTALLATION affecting wiring assembly configuration;
connection to equipment, new wiring,

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 GROUP MAJOR TOPIC DESCRIPTION
removal from service
The principal material component of airplane
wiring; includes type identification and basic
WIRE AND CABLE TYPES
description; alternative wire types
(replacements, substitutions)
WIRE MARKING Marking; applicable conditions
Wiring assembly configuration: Assembly
WIRE HARNESS
materials, layout, overall protection; factors
ASSEMBLY
affecting wiring installation
Wire and cable: Insulation removal, jacket
WIRE INSULATION AND
removal; associated damage limits, tool
CABLE JACKET REMOVAL
description and operation
WIRING
ASSEMBLY Wiring terminations and accessories
(connectors, terminal lugs, splices,
backshells, etc.) grouped by termination
type from simple to complex:
a. Common data or procedures by
<<TERMINATION TYPE>> group (if any), e.g., tool description and
e.g., SOURIAU 8950 operation, definition of internal damage and
SERIES CONNECTORS limits, internal cleaning, accessories
b. By individual type - part numbers
and description, definition of internal
damage and limits (if not specified by
common data), disassembly, assembly,
installation
Electrical devices (circuit breakers, relays,
switches, filters, lamps, etc.) grouped by
device type:
a. Common data or procedures by
group (if any), e.g., tool description and
<<DEVICE TYPE>>
ELECTRICAL operation, definition of internal damage and
e.g., KLIXON 7274 SERIES
DEVICES limits, internal cleaning, accessories
CIRCUIT BREAKER
b. By individual type - part numbers
and description, definition of internal
damage and limits (if not specified by
common data), disassembly, assembly,
installation
For wiring that has a necessarily specific
configuration (e.g. Primary Flight Control,
SPECIFIC Fuel Quantity Indicator System, etc.):
SPECIFIC WIRING
SYSTEM - Applicable conditions for repair and
ASSEMBLY
WIRING replacement
- Disassembly, assembly, installation,
assembly integrity testing
AIRLINE
CUSTOMISED AIRLINE SPECIFIED Reserved for airline use
DATA