Home/ Knowledge Hub/ AGL Visual Encyclopedia

AGL VisualEncyclopedia

Airfield ground lighting explained one diagram at a time. Each entry covers a single engineering concept, drawn, labelled and cross-linked to the rest of the Knowledge Hub.

By Rahul Sharma

28divisions
776topics
776entries live
Browse all topics
Lit: entry is published, select to open Unlit: entry is planned

Airfield Layout & AGL Configuration

Whole-airfield plans: runways, taxiways, aprons, circuit zones and the electrical layout behind them.

39 topics39 published

Airport Layout

  1. 1Complete AGL airport layout
  2. 2Whole airport layout map
  3. 3Runway lighting layout
  4. 4Taxiway lighting layout
  5. 5Apron lighting layout
  6. 6Aircraft stand lighting interface
  7. 7Helipad lighting layout
  8. 8STOL airport lighting layout
  9. 9Military airfield lighting layout
  10. 10Airfield lighting zoning
  11. 11AGL equipment location plan

Runway/Taxiway Configuration

  1. 12Runway and taxiway relationship
  2. 13Runway intersection
  3. 14Taxiway intersection
  4. 15Rapid exit taxiway
  5. 16Holding position
  6. 17Intermediate holding position
  7. 18Runway protection area
  8. 19Approach area
  9. 20Critical areas
  10. 21AGL circuit zones

Electrical Layout

  1. 22CCR location
  2. 23Series-circuit routing
  3. 24Transformer locations
  4. 25Primary cable routing
  5. 26Secondary cable routing
  6. 27Connector locations
  7. 28Base-can arrangement
  8. 29Earthing network
  9. 30AGL control-system architecture
  10. 31Complete AGL system architecture

Spacing & Dimensions

  1. 32Runway edge light longitudinal spacing
  2. 33Runway light lateral spacing and row offset
  3. 34Runway centreline light spacing
  4. 35Touchdown zone light pattern dimensions
  5. 36Threshold and wing bar light spacing
  6. 37Taxiway light spacing on straights and curves
  7. 38Approach lighting longitudinal and lateral dimensions
  8. 39Stop bar light spacing and position

Runway Lighting Systems

Every light on the runway, the fixtures that produce it, and the beams they throw.

41 topics41 published

Runway Lights

  1. 1Runway edge lights
  2. 2Threshold lights
  3. 3Runway end lights
  4. 4Runway centreline lights
  5. 5Touchdown zone lights
  6. 6Runway guard lights
  7. 7Stop bars
  8. 8Wing bars
  9. 9Runway intersection lighting
  10. 10Runway edge lights caution zone
  11. 11Runway end identifier lights (REIL)
  12. 12Runway status lights (RWSL)
  13. 13Runway entrance lights
  14. 14Take-off hold lights
  15. 15FAROS
  16. 16HIRL, MIRL and LIRL intensity classes
  17. 17Displaced threshold lighting
  18. 18Runway turn pad lighting
  19. 19Stopway and blast pad lighting
  20. 20Closed runway marking lights (unserviceability)
  21. 21Temporary and portable runway lighting for works

Fixture Visuals

  1. 22Elevated runway edge light
  2. 23Inset runway light
  3. 24Flush runway light
  4. 25Bidirectional fixture
  5. 26Unidirectional fixture
  6. 27Omnidirectional fixture
  7. 28LED runway fixture
  8. 29Lamp-based runway fixture
  9. 30Fixture optical system
  10. 31Fixture internal construction

Optical Concepts

  1. 32Beam direction
  2. 33Beam spread
  3. 34Light distribution
  4. 35Runway centreline beam
  5. 36Edge-light beam
  6. 37Threshold-light beam
  7. 38TDZ beam
  8. 39Fixture orientation
  9. 40Fixture alignment
  10. 41Runway lighting pattern

Taxiway Lighting Systems

Edge, centreline, exit and holding lights, and how they combine into a complete taxiway system.

26 topics26 published

Taxiway Lights

  1. 1Taxiway edge lights
  2. 2Taxiway centreline lights
  3. 3Taxiway exit lights
  4. 4Clearance bars
  5. 5Intermediate holding-position lights
  6. 6Lead-on lighting
  7. 7Lead-off lighting

Intersections & Exits

  1. 8Taxiway intersection lighting
  2. 9Rapid-exit taxiway lighting
  3. 10Taxiway junction
  4. 11Taxiway crossing
  5. 12Taxiway holding position

Layouts & Arrangements

  1. 13Taxiway centreline configuration
  2. 14Taxiway edge-light arrangement
  3. 15Curve lighting arrangement
  4. 16Straight taxiway arrangement
  5. 17Alternate-circuit centreline arrangement
  6. 18Taxiway edge lighting on wide fillets and apron entries
  7. 19Taxiway circuit arrangement
  8. 20Complete taxiway lighting system

Optics

  1. 21Fixture orientation
  2. 22Taxiway optical beam

Control & Operational Modes

  1. 23Stop bar control
  2. 24Stop bar monitoring
  3. 25Selective switching of taxiway lights
  4. 26Closed taxiway and unserviceability lighting

Approach Lighting Systems

Approach light patterns, structures, foundations, circuits and installation.

33 topics33 published

Light Types & Layout

  1. 1Approach lighting system overview
  2. 2Approach light layout
  3. 3Centreline approach lights
  4. 4Crossbar
  5. 5Wing bars
  6. 6Sequenced flashing lights
  7. 7Side-row bars
  8. 8Decision bar
  9. 9Centreline barrette

Configurations (ALSF-1, MALSR…)

  1. 10Complete approach lighting configuration
  2. 11ALSF-1
  3. 12ALSF-2
  4. 13SALS and SSALS
  5. 14MALS, MALSF and MALSR
  6. 15ODALS
  7. 16Calvert system
  8. 17CAT I approach lighting
  9. 18CAT II and III approach lighting

Hardware & Installation

  1. 19Approach-light structures
  2. 20Elevated approach fixtures
  3. 21Approach-light foundations
  4. 22Frangible mounting
  5. 23Approach-light alignment
  6. 24Approach-light installation sequence

Electrical & Control

  1. 25Approach-light cable routing
  2. 26Approach-light transformer arrangement
  3. 27Approach-light circuit
  4. 28Approach-light control
  5. 29Approach-light intensity
  6. 30Flasher control unit
  7. 31Flasher synchronization

Inspection & Testing

  1. 32Approach-light inspection
  2. 33Approach-light testing

Visual Guidance Systems

PAPI, APAPI, VASI and docking guidance: optics, alignment, installation and selection.

41 topics41 published

PAPI/APAPI

  1. 1PAPI system overview
  2. 2PAPI unit arrangement
  3. 3PAPI optical principle
  4. 4PAPI beam
  5. 5PAPI glide path
  6. 6PAPI elevation angle
  7. 7PAPI azimuth alignment
  8. 8PAPI installation
  9. 9PAPI foundation
  10. 10PAPI cable connection
  11. 11PAPI transformer arrangement
  12. 12PAPI inspection
  13. 13PAPI testing
  14. 14APAPI configuration
  15. 15APAPI beam arrangement
  16. 16PAPI control unit
  17. 17PAPI power supply
  18. 18PAPI remote monitoring

Other Systems

  1. 19VASI
  2. 20PVASI
  3. 21TVASI
  4. 22Runway lead-in lighting
  5. 23Docking guidance
  6. 24Visual guidance comparison
  7. 25PAPI versus APAPI
  8. 26VASI versus PAPI
  9. 27Visual guidance decision flow
  10. 28AVASI
  11. 29AT-VASIS
  12. 30Helicopter PAPI
  13. 31Portable PAPI

Docking Guidance (VDGS)

  1. 32VDGS azimuth guidance principle
  2. 33VDGS stopping position and distance display
  3. 34Laser and sensor-based aircraft detection in VDGS
  4. 35Aircraft type recognition and profile verification
  5. 36VDGS interface with stand and apron systems

Markings & Lighting Integration

  1. 37Runway markings and lighting integration
  2. 38Taxiway centreline marking and light alignment
  3. 39Holding position markings, signs and lights
  4. 40Threshold and displaced threshold markings with lights
  5. 41Marking and light visibility at night and in low visibility

Airfield Signs

Mandatory, information, direction, destination and location signs, from message to mounting.

36 topics36 published

Sign Types

  1. 1Mandatory signs
  2. 2Information signs
  3. 3Direction signs
  4. 4Destination signs
  5. 5Location signs
  6. 6Runway-exit signs
  7. 7Runway designation signs
  8. 8Taxiway designation signs
  9. 9Holding-position signs
  10. 10Combined signs
  11. 11Runway distance remaining signs
  12. 12CAT II and III holding position signs
  13. 13ILS critical area signs
  14. 14No-entry signs
  15. 15Vehicle road signs
  16. 16Stand and gate identification signs

Sign Construction

  1. 17Edge-lit sign
  2. 18Back-lit sign
  3. 19Internal illumination
  4. 20LED module
  5. 21LED driver
  6. 22Light guide plate
  7. 23Reflective/optical system
  8. 24Sign housing
  9. 25Mounting structure
  10. 26Frangible mounting

Sign Engineering

  1. 27Sign installation
  2. 28Sign alignment
  3. 29Sign visibility
  4. 30Sign circuit
  5. 31Sign transformer
  6. 32Sign connector
  7. 33Sign maintenance
  8. 34Sign testing
  9. 35Sign inspection
  10. 36Sign failure modes

Electrical Systems & Series Circuits

The series circuit, its cables and its earthing, including how each kind of fault behaves.

44 topics44 published

Series Circuit

  1. 1AGL series circuit principle
  2. 2Series circuit architecture
  3. 3Constant-current circuit
  4. 4Series circuit current path
  5. 5Series circuit voltage
  6. 6Circuit impedance
  7. 7Circuit resistance
  8. 8Circuit load
  9. 9Circuit continuity
  10. 10Circuit isolation
  11. 11Open circuit
  12. 12Short circuit
  13. 13Earth fault
  14. 14Series circuit fault path
  15. 15Circuit zoning
  16. 16Circuit expansion
  17. 17Circuit termination
  18. 18Film cutout operation
  19. 19Open-circuit protection (OCP)
  20. 20Lamp-out behaviour in a series circuit
  21. 21Ground-fault detection and insulation monitoring

Cable

  1. 22Primary cable
  2. 23Secondary cable
  3. 24Cable routing
  4. 25Cable joint
  5. 26Cable termination
  6. 27Cable crossing
  7. 28Cable protection
  8. 29Cable identification
  9. 30Cable installation
  10. 31Cable testing
  11. 32Shielded cable and screen connection
  12. 33Series-circuit junction boxes

Earthing

  1. 34Equipment earthing
  2. 35Bonding
  3. 36Earth-pit arrangement
  4. 37Earthing network
  5. 38Lightning/surge interface
  6. 39Bare copper earth conductor

Redundant Architecture

  1. 40Interleaved series circuits
  2. 41Dual feeders and incoming supply redundancy
  3. 42Standby CCR and changeover arrangement
  4. 43Ring and loop cable arrangement
  5. 44Single point of failure analysis

CCR & Power Supply Systems

The constant current regulator: internals, control, protection, testing and failure.

38 topics38 published

CCR Fundamentals

  1. 1CCR system overview
  2. 2CCR internal architecture
  3. 3CCR power input
  4. 4CCR power output
  5. 5Constant-current regulation
  6. 6CCR current control
  7. 7CCR intensity steps

CCR Components

  1. 8CCR transformer
  2. 9CCR thyristor
  3. 10CCR controller
  4. 11CCR cooling system
  5. 12CCR display
  6. 13CCR contactors and bypass

CCR Technologies

  1. 14Ferroresonant CCR
  2. 15IGBT CCR
  3. 16Monitored CCR (L-829)
  4. 17CCR regulator monitor (L-827)
  5. 18Circuit selector switch (L-847)

Control & Interface

  1. 19CCR local control
  2. 20CCR remote control
  3. 21CCR communication
  4. 22CCR control architecture
  5. 23CCR-to-series-circuit interface

Protection, Alarms & Faults

  1. 24CCR protection
  2. 25CCR alarm system
  3. 26CCR fault indication
  4. 27CCR failure modes
  5. 28Surge protection devices for CCR and circuits

Testing & Maintenance

  1. 29CCR output measurement
  2. 30CCR testing
  3. 31CCR maintenance

Power Supply & Quality

  1. 32Standby power and UPS
  2. 33Generator changeover and switchover time
  3. 34Airfield substation single-line diagram
  4. 35Power quality monitoring
  5. 36Harmonics and power factor on CCR input
  6. 37CCR output waveform distortion
  7. 38CCR loading limits and minimum-load issues

Isolation Transformers

How isolation transformers are built, installed, tested and replaced.

31 topics31 published

Principle & Construction

  1. 1Isolation transformer principle
  2. 2Transformer construction
  3. 3Primary winding
  4. 4Secondary winding
  5. 5Magnetic core
  6. 6Insulation system
  7. 7Potting compound
  8. 8Transformer housing
  9. 9Primary connector
  10. 10Secondary connector
  11. 11Transformer nameplate

Installation & Connection

  1. 12Transformer installation
  2. 13Transformer pit
  3. 14Transformer connection
  4. 15Transformer circuit position
  5. 16Plug-in isolation transformers
  6. 17Buried and elevated transformers

Electrical Behaviour & Ratings

  1. 18Transformer load
  2. 19Transformer voltage
  3. 20Transformer current
  4. 216.6A and 20A circuits
  5. 22Transformer wattage ratings
  6. 23Open-secondary behaviour and core saturation
  7. 24Secondary shorting and overvoltage events

Testing, Failure & Lifecycle

  1. 25Transformer testing
  2. 26Insulation resistance
  3. 27Transformer continuity
  4. 28Transformer failure modes
  5. 29Transformer maintenance
  6. 30Transformer replacement
  7. 31Transformer lifecycle

AGL Fixtures & Product Engineering

Exploded views and internal construction of fixtures, plus product comparisons.

38 topics38 published

Fixture Construction

  1. 1Complete fixture
  2. 2Exploded view
  3. 3Fixture housing
  4. 4Base
  5. 5Lens
  6. 6Prism
  7. 7Lamp
  8. 8LED module
  9. 9LED driver
  10. 10Optical chamber
  11. 11Mechanical components
  12. 12Sealing system
  13. 13Gasket
  14. 14Fasteners
  15. 15Connector
  16. 16Secondary lead
  17. 17Frangible component
  18. 18Internal wiring
  19. 19Heat-management system
  20. 20Fixture assembly sequence
  21. 21Reflector
  22. 22Optical filter
  23. 23Pressure-equalization vent
  24. 24Cable gland
  25. 25Mounting hardware

Connectors & Plugs

  1. 26L-823 connector types
  2. 27Plug and receptacle anatomy
  3. 28Parking plug

Product Comparisons

  1. 29LED versus halogen
  2. 30Elevated versus inset
  3. 31Bidirectional versus unidirectional
  4. 32Different optical configurations
  5. 33Different mounting arrangements

LED Transition

  1. 34LED retrofit in a halogen series circuit (load matching)
  2. 35Halogen-to-LED migration sequence
  3. 36Mixed halogen and LED circuits
  4. 37LED driver interaction with thyristor CCR (flicker and stroboscopic effects)
  5. 38LED power-draw and CCR re-sizing after retrofit

Installation & Construction

Base cans, pits, cable routes, connectors and fixtures, in installation order.

25 topics25 published

Base Cans & Pits

  1. 1Base-can installation
  2. 2Base-can excavation
  3. 3Base preparation
  4. 4Base-can positioning
  5. 5Base-can grouting
  6. 6Base-can drainage
  7. 7Transformer-pit installation
  8. 8Transformer placement

Cables & Connectors

  1. 9Cable duct
  2. 10Cable routing
  3. 11Cable crossing
  4. 12Cable entry
  5. 13Connector installation
  6. 14Connector sealing

Fixtures, Signs & Systems

  1. 15Fixture installation
  2. 16Fixture alignment
  3. 17Fixture elevation
  4. 18Frangible mounting
  5. 19Sign installation
  6. 20PAPI installation
  7. 21Approach-light installation

Earthing & Quality

  1. 22Earthing installation
  2. 23Bonding
  3. 24Installation sequence
  4. 25Installation quality checkpoints

Maintenance & Servicing

Replacement, cleaning, testing and alignment routines, and the maintenance sequences.

32 topics32 published

Replacement & Cleaning

  1. 1Lamp replacement
  2. 2LED module replacement
  3. 3Driver replacement
  4. 4Fixture cleaning
  5. 5Lens cleaning
  6. 6Prism cleaning
  7. 7Connector replacement
  8. 8Transformer replacement

Inspection & Testing

  1. 9Connector inspection
  2. 10Transformer inspection
  3. 11Cable inspection
  4. 12Cable testing
  5. 13Insulation testing
  6. 14Continuity testing
  7. 15Torque checking

Alignment & Equipment Servicing

  1. 16Fixture alignment
  2. 17PAPI alignment
  3. 18Sign maintenance
  4. 19CCR maintenance
  5. 20Approach-light maintenance
  6. 21Base-can maintenance
  7. 22Earthing maintenance

Maintenance Procedures

  1. 23Preventive maintenance sequence
  2. 24Corrective maintenance sequence
  3. 25Post-maintenance restoration

Serviceability Criteria

  1. 26ICAO serviceability level concept
  2. 27Minimum serviceable lamp percentages by light type
  3. 28Adjacent-lamp-out rule
  4. 29Serviceability of critical lights (stop bars and CAT II/III centreline)
  5. 30Serviceability measurement and reporting
  6. 31Serviceability-triggered maintenance flow
  7. 32Fixture Alignment Inspection

AGL Testing & Commissioning

Electrical tests, photometric tests and the commissioning sequence through to acceptance.

31 topics31 published

Electrical Testing

  1. 1Continuity testing
  2. 2Insulation-resistance testing
  3. 3Earth-resistance testing
  4. 4Cable testing
  5. 5Connector testing
  6. 6Series-circuit testing
  7. 7Transformer testing
  8. 8CCR testing
  9. 9Load testing
  10. 10Voltage/current measurement
  11. 11Cable fault location (TDR and bridge methods)
  12. 12High-potential (hi-pot) testing
  13. 13Insulation-resistance trend analysis over time

Photometry

  1. 14Photometric testing arrangement
  2. 15Light-intensity measurement
  3. 16Beam measurement
  4. 17Colour measurement
  5. 18Alignment verification
  6. 19Photometric grid
  7. 20Photometric data interpretation
  8. 21Photometric acceptance

Commissioning

  1. 22Pre-commissioning
  2. 23Energization
  3. 24Functional testing
  4. 25System integration
  5. 26ALCMS interface
  6. 27PAPI commissioning
  7. 28Sign commissioning
  8. 29Final acceptance
  9. 30Commissioning sequence
  10. 31Test documentation

AGL Safety & Airside Operations

Isolation, lock-out tag-out, airside working and work-site safety.

20 topics20 published

Electrical Safety

  1. 1LOTO procedure
  2. 2Electrical isolation
  3. 3CCR isolation
  4. 4Series-circuit safety
  5. 5Electrical shock protection
  6. 6Arc/electrical hazard awareness

Airside Working

  1. 7Airside working
  2. 8Runway working
  3. 9Taxiway working
  4. 10Vehicle safety
  5. 11Aircraft-operation interface
  6. 12Tool-control procedure
  7. 13FOD prevention

Work-Specific Safety

  1. 14Excavation safety
  2. 15Cable-work safety
  3. 16Transformer-pit safety
  4. 17PAPI work safety
  5. 18Approach-light work safety

Emergency & Procedure

  1. 19Emergency response
  2. 20Safe maintenance sequence

AGL Engineering Concepts

Electrical, optical and engineering principles behind AGL design and selection.

29 topics29 published

Electrical

  1. 1Ohm's law in AGL
  2. 2Series-circuit principle
  3. 3Current regulation
  4. 4Voltage drop
  5. 5Circuit impedance
  6. 6Power calculation
  7. 7Isolation principle
  8. 8Transformer principle
  9. 9Earthing principle

Optical

  1. 10Beam pattern
  2. 11Beam angle
  3. 12Candela
  4. 13Isocandela
  5. 14Chromaticity
  6. 15Colour coordinates
  7. 16Light distribution
  8. 17Optical efficiency
  9. 18Photometric performance
  10. 19AGL colour code summary (what each colour means, and where)

Engineering

  1. 20CCR step selection
  2. 21Load calculation
  3. 22Cable sizing
  4. 23Transformer sizing
  5. 24Circuit loading
  6. 25Reliability
  7. 26Availability
  8. 27MTBF
  9. 28MTTR
  10. 29Lifecycle engineering

AGL Photometry & Optical Engineering

Candela, isocandela, chromaticity, measurement grids and photometric reports.

28 topics28 published

Photometric Quantities

  1. 1Photometry fundamentals
  2. 2Candela
  3. 3Luminous intensity
  4. 4Luminous flux
  5. 5Illuminance
  6. 6Beam intensity

Distribution & Diagrams

  1. 7Photometric distribution
  2. 8Isocandela diagram
  3. 9Polar diagram
  4. 10Cartesian photometric diagram
  5. 11Beam pattern
  6. 12Beam spread
  7. 13Beam orientation

Colour

  1. 14Chromaticity
  2. 15Colour measurement
  3. 16White light
  4. 17Red light
  5. 18Green light
  6. 19Yellow/amber light

Measurement & Testing

  1. 20Photometric grid
  2. 21Measurement points
  3. 22Photometer arrangement
  4. 23Fixture alignment
  5. 24Photometric testing process

Reporting & Compliance

  1. 25Photometric report interpretation
  2. 26Photometric failure visualization
  3. 27Before/after photometry
  4. 28Photometric compliance flow

Airfield Lighting Control & ALCMS

ALCMS architecture, monitoring, integration with each system, and fault flows.

43 topics43 published

Control Architecture

  1. 1ALCMS overview
  2. 2AGL control architecture
  3. 3CCR control
  4. 4Local control
  5. 5Remote control
  6. 6Tower control
  7. 7HMI
  8. 8PLC
  9. 9SCADA
  10. 10Communication network
  11. 11Tower control panel (L-821)
  12. 12Auxiliary relay cabinet (L-841)
  13. 13PLC I/O modules
  14. 14ALCMS server and database

Monitoring

  1. 15Circuit status
  2. 16CCR status
  3. 17Alarm monitoring
  4. 18Fault indication
  5. 19Remote diagnostics
  6. 20Equipment status
  7. 21Control commands
  8. 22Intensity control
  9. 23Interlocking
  10. 24Emergency control
  11. 25ALCMS event logging
  12. 26Time synchronization (NTP/GPS)

Integration

  1. 27ALCMS-to-CCR
  2. 28ALCMS-to-runway
  3. 29ALCMS-to-taxiway
  4. 30ALCMS-to-PAPI
  5. 31ALCMS-to-signage
  6. 32ALCMS communication architecture
  7. 33ALCMS failure flow
  8. 34ALCMS troubleshooting flow
  9. 35Fibre-optic network
  10. 36Network redundancy
  11. 37Industrial protocols (Modbus)

Operating Modes

  1. 38Low-visibility procedures (LVP) lighting configuration
  2. 39SMGCS and A-SMGCS lighting
  3. 40Follow-the-greens operation
  4. 41Lighting requirements by approach category (CAT I, II, III)
  5. 42Intensity step selection by visibility and day/night
  6. 43Mode changeover sequence (normal to LVP and back)

Airfield Civil Interface & Infrastructure

Where AGL meets civil works: cans, ducts, foundations, drainage and tolerances.

22 topics22 published

Structures & Chambers

  1. 1Base cans
  2. 2Transformer pits
  3. 3Handholes
  4. 4Cable ducts
  5. 5Cable trenches

Foundations

  1. 6Foundations
  2. 7Fixture foundations
  3. 8Sign foundations
  4. 9PAPI foundations
  5. 10Approach-light foundations

Drainage & Pavement

  1. 11Drainage
  2. 12Water ingress prevention
  3. 13Pavement interface
  4. 14Asphalt/concrete interface

Tolerances, Protection & Process

  1. 15Frangible mounting
  2. 16Fixture elevation
  3. 17Fixture alignment
  4. 18Civil tolerance
  5. 19Cable protection
  6. 20Civil inspection
  7. 21Civil-AGL interface
  8. 22Construction sequence

AGL Failure & Troubleshooting Visuals

What each failure looks like, and flowcharts for isolating it.

33 topics33 published

Failure Visuals

  1. 1Open circuit
  2. 2Short circuit
  3. 3Earth fault
  4. 4CCR failure
  5. 5Transformer failure
  6. 6Fixture failure
  7. 7LED failure
  8. 8Driver failure
  9. 9Connector failure
  10. 10Cable failure
  11. 11Moisture ingress
  12. 12Corrosion
  13. 13Overheating
  14. 14Mechanical damage
  15. 15Optical failure

Troubleshooting

  1. 16Fault-isolation flowchart
  2. 17CCR troubleshooting
  3. 18Series-circuit troubleshooting
  4. 19Transformer troubleshooting
  5. 20Fixture troubleshooting
  6. 21Cable troubleshooting
  7. 22Connector troubleshooting
  8. 23PAPI troubleshooting
  9. 24Sign troubleshooting
  10. 25ALCMS troubleshooting
  11. 26Earth-fault troubleshooting
  12. 27Intermittent-fault troubleshooting
  13. 28Multiple-fixture-failure troubleshooting

Environmental Effects

  1. 29Snow and ice effects on inset lights
  2. 30Heated inset fixtures
  3. 31Rubber deposit buildup on inset lights
  4. 32Jet blast and wheel-load effects on fixtures
  5. 33Contamination and cleaning-interval planning

AGL Inspection & Condition Assessment

Inspection visuals, condition grades and the inspection decision flow.

27 topics27 published

Inspection Visuals

  1. 1Fixture inspection
  2. 2Cable inspection
  3. 3Transformer inspection
  4. 4Connector inspection
  5. 5CCR inspection
  6. 6PAPI inspection
  7. 7Sign inspection
  8. 8Approach-light inspection
  9. 9Base-can inspection
  10. 10Earthing inspection

Condition

  1. 11Normal condition
  2. 12Damaged condition
  3. 13Corroded condition
  4. 14Water-ingress condition
  5. 15Misalignment
  6. 16Loose connection
  7. 17Insulation deterioration
  8. 18Optical deterioration
  9. 19Structural deterioration
  10. 20Condition grading

Inspection Process

  1. 21Visual inspection sequence
  2. 22Electrical inspection
  3. 23Mechanical inspection
  4. 24Photometric inspection
  5. 25Documentation
  6. 26Defect classification
  7. 27Inspection decision flow

AGL Asset Lifecycle Visuals

From planning and installation through failure, upgrade and disposal, with lifecycle cost.

26 topics26 published

Lifecycle Stages

  1. 1Asset lifecycle
  2. 2Asset planning
  3. 3Design
  4. 4Procurement
  5. 5Installation
  6. 6Commissioning
  7. 7Operation
  8. 8Maintenance
  9. 9Inspection
  10. 10Testing

Condition & Renewal

  1. 11Asset health monitoring
  2. 12Failure
  3. 13Repair
  4. 14Refurbishment
  5. 15Upgrade
  6. 16Technology modernization
  7. 17Replacement

End of Life

  1. 18Decommissioning
  2. 19Disposal
  3. 20Recycling

Data, Cost & Records

  1. 21Asset data lifecycle
  2. 22Warranty lifecycle
  3. 23Spare-parts lifecycle
  4. 24Lifecycle cost
  5. 25Total cost of ownership
  6. 26As-built records and circuit schedules

Standards & Compliance Visuals

Original explanatory diagrams for ICAO, FAA, IEC and BIS/IS requirements.

24 topics24 published

Standards Bodies & Terminology

  1. 1ICAO AGL terminology
  2. 2ICAO lighting classification
  3. 3FAA lighting terminology
  4. 4FAA fixture concepts
  5. 5IEC electrical concepts
  6. 6BIS/IS AGL concepts

Comparing & Interpreting Requirements

  1. 7Standard comparison
  2. 8Requirement mapping
  3. 9Compliance matrix
  4. 10Technical requirement interpretation
  5. 11Mandatory versus advisory requirements

Requirement Flows by Lifecycle Stage

  1. 12Design requirement flow
  2. 13Inspection requirement flow
  3. 14Testing requirement flow
  4. 15Maintenance requirement flow

Selection & Compliance Decisions

  1. 16Compliance decision tree
  2. 17Standard-selection flowchart
  3. 18Applicable-standard identification

Regional & National Regulations

  1. 19EASA CS-ADR-DSN lighting requirements
  2. 20EASA CS-ADR-DSN versus ICAO Annex 14
  3. 21DGCA CAR aerodrome lighting requirements (India)
  4. 22DGCA CAR versus ICAO Annex 14 differences
  5. 23Regulator comparison matrix (ICAO, EASA, FAA, DGCA)
  6. 24Filed differences and national deviations

AGL Product Comparison & Selection

Side-by-side product comparisons and selection flowcharts.

23 topics23 published

Product Comparisons

  1. 1Elevated versus inset fixtures
  2. 2LED versus halogen
  3. 3Bidirectional versus unidirectional
  4. 4Different runway fixtures
  5. 5Different taxiway fixtures
  6. 6Different transformers
  7. 7Different connectors
  8. 8Different cables
  9. 9Different signs
  10. 10Different PAPI systems
  11. 11Different CCR technologies

Selection Flowcharts

  1. 12Runway fixture selection
  2. 13Taxiway fixture selection
  3. 14Transformer selection
  4. 15CCR selection
  5. 16Cable selection
  6. 17Connector selection
  7. 18Sign selection
  8. 19PAPI selection
  9. 20Approach-light selection
  10. 21Spare-part selection
  11. 22Replacement selection
  12. 23Technology selection

Future AGL Technology & Innovation

Smart, predictive and autonomous airfield lighting concepts.

25 topics25 published

Smart Equipment

  1. 1Smart AGL
  2. 2Intelligent fixtures
  3. 3IoT-enabled AGL
  4. 4AI-based AGL
  5. 5Smart CCR
  6. 6Smart transformers
  7. 7Smart signs
  8. 8Smart PAPI

Digital & Predictive

  1. 9Predictive maintenance
  2. 10Digital twins
  3. 11Remote monitoring
  4. 12Digital AGL control

Automated Inspection & Testing

  1. 13Automated inspection
  2. 14Robotic inspection
  3. 15Drone inspection
  4. 16Automated photometry

Sustainability

  1. 17Energy-efficient AGL
  2. 18Renewable-energy integration
  3. 19Sustainable AGL

Future Systems

  1. 20Autonomous airfield systems
  2. 21Future airport lighting
  3. 22Emerging optical technologies
  4. 23Advanced sensors
  5. 24Future AGL architecture
  6. 25Innovation concept diagrams

Obstruction Lighting

Low-, medium- and high-intensity lights for towers, masts, chimneys, buildings and wind turbines near the airfield.

10 topics10 published

Obstruction Light Types

  1. 1Obstacle lighting overview
  2. 2Low-intensity obstruction lights
  3. 3Medium-intensity obstruction lights
  4. 4High-intensity obstruction lights

Applications

  1. 5Wind-turbine obstruction lighting
  2. 6Chimney obstruction lighting
  3. 7Mast and tower obstruction lighting
  4. 8Building obstruction lighting

Control & Monitoring

  1. 9Obstruction-light flash synchronization
  2. 10Obstruction-light monitoring

Beacons, Windsocks & Weather Sensing

Aerodrome and heliport beacons, illuminated windsocks, and the wind, visibility and RVR sensors that feed airfield decisions.

16 topics16 published

Beacons

  1. 1Aerodrome beacon
  2. 2Rotating beacon
  3. 3Beacon colours and flash rates
  4. 4Heliport beacon
  5. 5LED beacon
  6. 6Beacon drive and lens

Windsocks

  1. 7Internally illuminated windsock
  2. 8Externally illuminated windsock
  3. 9Wind cone assembly

Weather Sensing

  1. 10Anemometer and wind sensor
  2. 11Visibility sensor
  3. 12Ceilometer
  4. 13RVR sensor
  5. 14RVR-to-intensity-step control
  6. 15Temperature sensor
  7. 16Weather station

Navaids & Airfield Sensors Interface

How ILS, DME, VOR and other navaids sit alongside AGL, plus the radars and sensors that watch runways and taxiways.

13 topics13 published

Navigation Aids

  1. 1ILS localizer
  2. 2ILS glide slope
  3. 3ILS siting and AGL interface
  4. 4Marker beacons
  5. 5DME
  6. 6VOR
  7. 7NDB
  8. 8GBAS and SBAS ground stations

Airfield Sensors

  1. 9Surface movement radar
  2. 10Runway occupancy sensing
  3. 11Vehicle detection sensor
  4. 12Lightning detector
  5. 13Pavement temperature sensor

Heliport Lighting (TLOF & FATO)

Lighting for heliports and helipads: final approach and take-off areas, touchdown areas, elevated and rooftop sites, and how they are controlled.

13 topics13 published

Landing Areas

  1. 1FATO perimeter lighting
  2. 2TLOF perimeter lighting
  3. 3TLOF floodlighting
  4. 4Touchdown positioning marker (TDPM) lights
  5. 5Heliport identification and aiming point lighting
  6. 6Heliport approach lighting

Heliport Types

  1. 7Elevated heliport and helideck lighting
  2. 8Rooftop and hospital heliport lighting
  3. 9Helicopter air-taxiway and ground-taxiway lighting

Control, Compatibility & Maintenance

  1. 10Pilot-controlled heliport lighting
  2. 11NVG-compatible heliport lighting
  3. 12Heliport windsock and obstacle lighting integration
  4. 13Heliport lighting inspection and maintenance

No topics match

Try a shorter word, or clear the search to see all 28 divisions.

How each entry is made

One diagram, one primary engineering concept. Every illustration uses standardised terminology, avoids unnecessary detail and can be reused across the Knowledge Hub.

  1. Topic selection
  2. Technical research
  3. Engineering sketch
  4. Illustration
  5. Labels & callouts
  6. Technical review
  7. Standards verification
  8. Publishing
  9. Metadata
  10. Cross-linking
  11. Revision control

Long-term production targets

The database is structured as 28 divisions, about 800+ topics and 1,000+ visual assets. Diagrams are original explanations of the requirements; verify against current ICAO, FAA and IEC documents before relying on them.

Use it with the rest of the hub

The Encyclopedia is the visual layer. These references go deeper on parts, comparisons, failures and paperwork.

Component Library

350+ airfield lighting parts in 22 categories, with specifications and standards.

Comparison Library

Side-by-side breakdowns of runway lighting, electrical systems, photometry and standards.

Failure Database

Root-cause records across 25 divisions. Pairs with Division 19.

Forms & Templates

Checklists, registers and test reports for recording AGL work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about using the AGL Visual Encyclopedia.

Q1What is the AGL Visual Encyclopedia?

A diagram-first reference to Airfield Ground Lighting, where each entry covers a single engineering concept — drawn, labelled and cross-linked to the rest of the Knowledge Hub. It's organized into 28 divisions and a planned 776 topics.

Q2How many entries are live right now?

776 entries are published so far, covering airfield layout, runway and taxiway lighting, approach lighting, visual guidance, signage, series circuits, CCR and power supply, isolation transformers, installation, maintenance, testing and commissioning, safety, fixture construction, photometry, airfield lighting control, asset lifecycle, troubleshooting, airfield civil interface, standards and compliance, future AGL technology, engineering concepts, inspection and product comparison and selection. The remaining topics are shown as planned (unlit) entries across the divisions, including new divisions on obstruction lighting, beacons and weather sensing, navaids and airfield sensors, and heliport lighting.

Q3What does the 'Lit' and 'Unlit' status mean?

A lit entry is published and can be opened. An unlit entry is planned but not yet written.

Q4How do I find a specific topic?

Use the search box to search across all 776 planned topics, or toggle 'Live entries only' to show just the 776 published entries. You can also browse by division.

Q5Is the Visual Encyclopedia a substitute for the actual ICAO or FAA standards?

No. The diagrams are original explanations of the requirements for learning purposes, and fixture counts, spacing and layouts shown are illustrative rather than to scale. Verify against the current ICAO, FAA or applicable national standard for any real project.

Q6How is the Visual Encyclopedia different from the Component Library or Glossary?

The Encyclopedia is the visual layer, explaining how a system works through a diagram. The Component Library covers individual parts and specifications, the Glossary covers terminology, and other Knowledge Hub references go deeper on comparisons, failures and paperwork.

Q7Who is building the AGL Visual Encyclopedia?

Rahul Sharma, as part of the Precision AGL Academy Knowledge Hub.

Precision AGL Academy

See It. Understand It. Then Learn How to Engineer It.

Recognising an AGL system visually is the first step. The next step is knowing how to design, install, test, commission and maintain them correctly.

Build Practical AGL Engineering Skills

Go deeper with structured training from Precision AGL Academy, covering:

AGL Fundamentals Design & Electrical Engineering Approach Lighting Photometry Installation & Commissioning Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Learn how each light, sign and circuit works as part of a complete airport lighting system, not just as an isolated diagram.

Explore AGL Courses Start Your AGL Learning Journey
See. Understand. Apply. Engineer.