Haji used the FADEC specification as the starting point for his search.
“At first, I was hoping the solution could be found with our own systems,” says Haji. “Could I write the program and organize the system with hardware we already had? Unfortunately, we couldn’t, because we were missing some testing points. Also, the high voltage switching was a problem. So, I started looking outside for other systems. But really, at that point, I didn’t have any idea in which direction to go.”
Finally, after investigating many tools and options, Haji got a break. He found his solution within his own department.
“We do some repair for the military, on AWACS aircraft, and they had provided us a system called the DIT-MCO 2115, a very old one,” said Haji. “My colleagues told me there are a lot of test points, and we could do high-voltage testing. So I said, okay, I’ll see what the specs are.”
The DIT-MCO Model 2115 is a low-cost circuit analyzer that provides speed, power, reliability and ease of use in a benchtop configuration. Testing up to 1500V and 2 amps, the Model 2115 tests wiring and components for leakage, resistance, voltage, capacitance, and dielectric breakdown. All parameters are programmable, so you can use high voltage up to 1500V or low voltage down to 0.225V. Safety limits ensure that no excessive voltage will be used in situations where it may be hazardous, and interlocks allow you to incorporate safety barriers.
Looking at the specification, Haji could see that the Model 2115, out of the box, could do 90% of what he needed. And because of its flexible, expandable design, he realized that he could easily modify the system to cover the rest of the requirements.
One thing Haji didn’t know was that KLM’s ECUs had already been tested with DIT-MCO systems. “FADEC International use DIT-MCO equipment to test the wiring of their newly-built ECU boxes,” says DIT-MCO’s European Manager, Craig Edgar.
Few Serious Competitors
Having found the system he needed, Haji went looking for competitive sources. “I said, okay, what other companies are doing the same as DIT-MCO? And I found a lot of systems similar to what DIT-MCO provides. But none were exactly the same. I could only find one other company who could provide the same capability.”
Haji put out a request for proposal to the two vendors. Both were able to meet his requirements. Both had excellent reputations for reliability and service. Ultimately, the decision came down economics: DIT-MCO simply offered the better deal.
“At the end, the difference in price was too great,” Haji says. “And with DIT-MCO, the training was included. With the other manufacturer, it was an additional cost.”
Implementation Problems were “No Problem”
