Environmental Test Categories
Section 10: Environmental Qualification (DO-160)
Definition
The classification system defined in DO-160/ED-14 that assigns severity levels to environmental tests based on the equipment's installation location, intended use, and operational environment on the aircraft. Categories are designated by alphanumeric codes (e.g., A1, A2, B1, B2) within each test section, with each category specifying a set of test conditions and limits.
Where This Shows Up
The selection of appropriate test categories is a critical step in the qualification process and must be justified based on the actual installation conditions. The Equipment Qualification Test Plan (or Environmental Qualification Plan) documents the selected categories for each test section, with rationale based on the aircraft installation location (pressurized vs. unpressurized, heated vs. unheated, exposed vs. sheltered), operational altitude, vibration environment, and electromagnetic environment. Incorrect category selection can result in either insufficient testing (risking in-service failures) or excessive testing (increasing cost and schedule without benefit).
Primary Sources
Each test section defines applicable categories based on installation and operational conditions.
Related Terms
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