Proactive, before-the-fault reference for the AGL system's highest-frequency failure modes — how to keep water, heat, corrosion, misalignment, and process error from ever reaching the fault log in the first place. Each topic follows a preventive engineering record: failure mode addressed → equipment/system → contributing causes → tools/materials → safety → prevention procedure → inspection/monitoring points → effectiveness verification → response if failure occurs anyway → preventive programme integration.
Failure Mode Addressed — Water entering the base can and reaching the isolation transformer body, connectors, or leads before it ever causes an insulation failure — addressed here at the prevention stage rather than after the transformer has already failed.
L-830 series-circuit isolation transformers and the base cans, connectors, and drainage provisions that house and protect them.
Re-inspect the can dry and after the next significant rain event, confirming no standing water and no moisture at the connector or transformer body before closing the preventive work order.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CIVIL-02 (Drainage and Base-Can Remediation Procedure)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, FAA AC 150/5340-30
Diagram: Base-Can Detail Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-554 Repeated Water Ingress RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Isolation transformers or CCR output transformers running at an elevated operating temperature that shortens insulation life, addressed proactively before it progresses to a thermal insulation failure.
L-830 isolation transformers and CCR internal transformers, including their wattage/tap rating relative to the connected load and their thermal environment.
Confirm via thermal imaging at the next scheduled visit that the transformer operates within its normal temperature range under actual load, with no upward trend versus the previous reading.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-12 (Transformer Test and Replacement Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-26, IEEE C57.12.91
Diagram: Circuit Design Specification (wattage/tap schedule)
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-546 Repeated Transformer Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — L-823 or similar plug/receptacle connectors overheating and showing carbon tracking, melted insulation, or burnt contacts due to progressively rising contact resistance, addressed before the connector reaches thermal failure.
L-823 primary connectors and secondary lamp/transformer connectors across the series circuit.
Confirm contact resistance is within the accepted range and thermal imaging shows no elevated signature at the next PM visit following any preventive re-termination.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-03 (Fixture Replacement Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-26, FAA AC 150/5345-46 (L-852)
Diagram: Connector Assembly Specification
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-549 Repeated Connector Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Primary or secondary series cable insulation degrading toward failure — from moisture, mechanical stress, thermal cycling, or age — addressed through proactive testing and protection before an actual insulation breakdown occurs.
L-824 primary series cable and secondary cable, including duct banks, pull boxes, and field splices along the route.
Re-test insulation resistance at the next two scheduled PM visits following any preventive action and confirm the trend has stabilised within the acceptable range before closing the item.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-02 (Series Circuit Fault Location Procedure)
Standards: IEC 60364, IEEE 43, ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: As-Built Duct and Cable Route Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-548 Repeated Cable Failure RCA, RCA-555 Repeated Insulation Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Water entering an inset or elevated fixture housing before it reaches the lamp/LED module, optics, or wiring and causes an operational failure, addressed at the seal and drainage stage.
Inset L-852 fixtures and elevated fixture housings, including their lens/optic seals, gaskets, cable entries, and base-can drainage.
Re-inspect the fixture dry and after the next significant rainfall event, confirming no moisture at the lens, optic, or wiring before closing the preventive work order.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-03 (Fixture Replacement Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-46 (L-852), ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: Fixture Housing and Seal Detail Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-550 Repeated Fixture Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — LED light-emitting modules degrading or failing before their rated life due to thermal stress, driver mismatch, or moisture, addressed proactively at the driver-matching and thermal-management stage.
LED light-emitting modules and their drivers within AGL fixtures.
Confirm at the next scheduled photometric survey and thermal check that the LED module's output and temperature remain within expected parameters for its hours in service.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-PHM-01 (Photometric Survey Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-46 (L-852 LED), ICAO Annex 14 Vol I Appendix 2, IESNA LM-80/TM-21
Diagram: LED Fixture Thermal and Electrical Design Specification
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-551 Repeated LED Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Illuminated taxiway/runway guidance sign internal components (light source, driver, panel) degrading toward failure from heat, moisture, or vibration, addressed before an actual internal fault occurs.
L-858 illuminated signs — housing, door seal, internal light source/driver, panel assembly, and cooling provision.
Confirm at the next PM visit that internal temperature remains within normal range and no moisture staining or connection fatigue is present.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-SGN-01 (Illuminated Sign Maintenance Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-44 (L-858 signs), ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: Sign Internal Wiring and Ventilation Detail Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-552 Repeated Sign Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — A Constant Current Regulator running at an elevated internal or house/pit temperature that stresses power electronics and shortens component life, addressed before it triggers a thermal trip or causes component degradation.
CCR (transformer-type or TSCR/inverter-type) internal components and its house/pit ventilation and cooling provision.
Confirm via thermal imaging and temperature log review at the next PM cycle, particularly during the warmest season, that the CCR operates within its normal thermal range with no upward trend.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CCR-04 (CCR LOTO Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-10 (CCRs), ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: CCR House Ventilation and Layout Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-547 Repeated CCR Trip RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — A CCR generating nuisance alarms or trips (overcurrent, earth fault, communication) that do not correspond to a genuine fault, addressed at the settings, calibration, and signal-integrity level before they erode operator confidence in the alarm system.
CCR protection relays, alarm thresholds, ALCMS/SCADA interface, and associated sensors/wiring.
Confirm via alarm log review at the next PM cycle that the nuisance-alarm frequency has dropped and that every alarm event, once genuinely resolved, is documented with its cause.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CCR-07 (Protection Relay Verification), SOP-COMMS-01 (ALCMS/SCADA Network Maintenance Procedure)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, IEC 61439 (protection coordination)
Diagram: CCR Protection Coordination Study
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-547 Repeated CCR Trip RCA, RCA-559 Repeated Communication Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Earth bonding and earth-loop resistance degrading toward the point of triggering earth-fault protection, addressed through proactive bonding maintenance and resistance trending before a trip or a genuine insulation-to-earth fault occurs.
AGL earthing/grounding system — CCR earth bar, transformer secondary earthing, fixture body earthing, earth electrodes, and ring conductors.
Confirm via earth-loop resistance testing at the next two PM cycles, spanning at least one seasonal change, that the reading remains comfortably within the acceptable threshold.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-EARTH-01 (Earthing System Test and Bonding Procedure)
Standards: IEC 60364-5-54, IEEE 142, ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: As-Built Earthing and Grounding Ring Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-553 Repeated Earth Fault RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — AGL equipment (CCR, transformers, fixtures, ALCMS/SCADA electronics) at risk of surge damage from a nearby or direct lightning strike, addressed through proactive surge protection and bonding rather than after equipment has already been damaged.
Lightning/surge protection devices (SPDs) at CCR input/output, ALCMS/SCADA communication links, and the overall earthing/bonding system that provides the discharge path.
Confirm all SPD condition indicators show a healthy state at the next PM cycle, and cross-check equipment fault logs following any known regional lightning activity for absence of surge-related damage.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-SURGE-01 (Lightning and Surge Protection Maintenance Procedure)
Standards: IEC 62305 (lightning protection), IEEE C62.41 (surge environments), ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: Surge Protection Scheme Drawing
Case Study: Division 22 — Lightning and Surge Protection Troubleshooting
Failure Mode Addressed — AGL equipment at risk of submersion or water damage during heavy rainfall, drainage overload, or seasonal flooding, addressed through proactive site drainage and equipment elevation review before an actual flood event causes widespread equipment loss.
CCR houses/pits, base cans, pull boxes, and any low-lying equipment locations across the airfield relative to the site drainage system.
Confirm ahead of the wet season that drainage is clear and barriers are intact, and confirm after any significant rainfall event that no equipment showed water intrusion.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CIVIL-02 (Drainage and Base-Can Remediation Procedure), SOP-EMRG-01 (Flood Emergency Response Procedure)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, local civil/drainage design codes
Diagram: Site Drainage and Flood Risk Map
Case Study: Division 24 — Complete Runway Lighting Failure
Failure Mode Addressed — Fixture, PAPI/APAPI, or approach lighting element aim drifting out of tolerance over time due to foundation movement, mechanism wear, or procedural inconsistency, addressed proactively through survey trending and mounting hardware maintenance.
Elevated and inset AGL fixtures with adjustable aim, PAPI/APAPI units, and their foundations and aiming mechanisms.
Confirm at the next scheduled survey that alignment remains within tolerance, with a stable or improving trend versus the previous cycle.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-PAPI-01 (PAPI/APAPI Alignment Procedure)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I (PAPI/APAPI alignment tolerance), FAA AC 150/5345-28
Diagram: PAPI/Fixture Foundation and Aiming Mechanism Detail Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-557 Repeated Alignment Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Electrical and mechanical connections (connectors, bonding points, mounting hardware, terminal lugs) being assembled to incorrect torque values, addressed proactively through standardised tooling, training, and verification before it produces a loose or overstressed joint.
All torque-critical connections across the AGL system — connectors, earth bonding points, fixture mounting hardware, terminal lugs, and CCR internal connections.
Confirm through periodic work-order audit that torque values are being documented and that sample re-checks of recent work fall within the specified range.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-QA-01 (Work Order Closure and Verification Procedure)
Standards: ISO 9001:2015 Cl. 8.5/8.7, manufacturer torque specifications for each connection type
Diagram: Torque Specification Reference Table
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-562 Installation Error Root Cause)
Failure Mode Addressed — Field splices and cable joints assembled with incorrect technique, kit selection, or environmental protection, addressed proactively before the joint becomes a future insulation or connection failure point.
Field splices and joints on primary series cable, secondary cable, and any buried or in-pull-box cable connections.
Confirm insulation resistance meets requirements immediately after splicing and again at the next scheduled PM visit, with photographic documentation on file, before considering the splice fully verified.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-02 (Series Circuit Fault Location Procedure)
Standards: IEC 60364, manufacturer splice kit installation instructions, ICAO Annex 14 Vol I
Diagram: Splice Kit Selection and Installation Reference
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-548 Repeated Cable Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — A fault or degradation introduced by a maintenance action itself — rather than by the equipment's normal operating environment — addressed proactively through process, verification, and training controls before it becomes a source of repeat failures.
Applies across the maintenance process itself — work order procedures, PM checklists, technician practices, and closure verification — rather than to any single component.
Confirm through CMMS repeat-fault tracking over the following review period that the recurrence rate for previously affected fault types has dropped to the expected baseline.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-QA-01 (Work Order Closure and Verification Procedure)
Standards: ISO 9001:2015 Cl. 10.2, ISO 55001
Diagram: Work Order Process Flow Diagram
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-560 Repeated Maintenance Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — A series or parallel circuit trending toward its performance margin — reduced current headroom, marginal insulation across many components, or an outdated design calculation — addressed proactively before it produces recurring trips or partial dark sections.
The complete circuit — CCR, series/parallel loop, and all fixtures and transformers on it — evaluated at the circuit-design-margin level rather than component by component.
Confirm via full-loop testing and CCR calibration verification at each periodic review that the circuit's operating margin remains within design tolerance, with fault frequency at or below the expected baseline.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CCR-04 (CCR LOTO Procedure), SOP-DESIGN-02 (Circuit Design Change Control)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, FAA AC 150/5340-30, FAA AC 150/5345-10
Diagram: Circuit Design Calculation and As-Built Topology Drawing
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-558 Repeated Circuit Failure RCA)
Failure Mode Addressed — Fixture intensity, chromaticity, or beam-spread output drifting toward the edge of the compliant tolerance band between survey cycles, addressed proactively through cleaning-interval management and lumen-depreciation tracking before a survey records an actual non-compliance.
AGL fixture optics, lamp/LED modules, and the photometric survey history across the fixture population.
Confirm via the next scheduled photometric survey that all monitored fixtures remain comfortably within tolerance, with any fixture trending toward the margin flagged for proactive action before the following cycle.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-PHM-01 (Photometric Survey Procedure)
Standards: ICAO Annex 14 Vol I Appendix 2, FAA AC 150/5340-30, IESNA measurement practice
Diagram: Photometric Survey Trend Chart by Fixture Cohort
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-556 Repeated Photometry Failure RCA); Division 26 — Photometric Compliance Troubleshooting
Failure Mode Addressed — Connectors being installed with incorrect seating, missing grease, wrong torque, or an incompatible mating type, addressed proactively through standardised procedure, tooling, and verification before the installation itself becomes the root cause of a later fault.
L-823 primary connectors, secondary lamp/transformer connectors, and their assembly procedure across new installation and maintenance replacement work.
Confirm through periodic work-order and field audit that connector installations are following the standardised procedure, with sample re-checks of recent work meeting specification.
SOP: SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-RCL-03 (Fixture Replacement Procedure)
Standards: FAA AC 150/5345-26, FAA AC 150/5345-46 (L-852)
Diagram: Connector Assembly Specification
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (RCA-549 Repeated Connector Failure RCA, RCA-562 Installation Error Root Cause)
Failure Mode Addressed — A field-wide, system-level pattern of the same fault types resurfacing across multiple divisions and locations despite individual repairs, addressed at the programme level through FRACAS integration, trend review, and cross-division learning rather than one fault at a time.
The AGL system as a whole — CCR, series circuits, fixtures, signs, earthing, communications — and the overarching maintenance/quality management programme that governs it.
Confirm at each periodic cross-division review that field-wide fault-type trends for previously addressed patterns are declining, and that new RCA findings are being systematically fed into PM checklists, training, and standards.
SOP: SOP-RCA-01 (Root Cause Analysis and FRACAS Procedure), SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-QA-01 (Work Order Closure and Verification Procedure)
Standards: ISO 9001:2015 Cl. 10.2, ISO 55001 (asset management), ICAO Doc 9859 (SMS principles)
Diagram: Field-Wide Fault-Type Pareto and Trend Dashboard
Case Study: Division 23 — Root Cause Analysis (all topics); Division 21 — Preventive Maintenance Troubleshooting
Quick answers about Division 27 — Preventive Troubleshooting in the AGL Troubleshooting Atlas.
Division 27 is the Preventive Troubleshooting reference. It publishes 20 diagnostic topics, PRV-621 to PRV-640, in a single subsection.
Every topic follows the same diagnostic record: the symptom, equipment/system, possible causes ranked by likelihood (high, medium or low), required tools, safety precautions, diagnostic procedure, test points, root cause verification, corrective action, preventive action and related references (SOPs, standards, diagrams and case studies).
The 20 topics are PRV-621 to PRV-640: Preventing Transformer Water Ingress; Preventing Transformer Overheating; Preventing Connector Burning; Preventing Cable Insulation Failure; Preventing Fixture Water Ingress; Preventing LED Failure; Preventing Sign Board Failure; Preventing CCR Overheating; Preventing CCR False Alarms; Preventing Earth Faults; Preventing Lightning Damage; Preventing Flood-Related Failures; Preventing Alignment Errors; Preventing Incorrect Torque; Preventing Improper Cable Jointing; Preventing Maintenance-Induced Failures; Preventing Repeated Circuit Trips; Preventing Photometry Non-Compliance; Preventing Connector Installation Errors; Preventing Recurring AGL Failures.
Each procedure starts with observation before any intervention. For example, PRV-621 (Preventing Transformer Water Ingress) begins: Include base-can drainage function, not just visual seal condition, in the standard inspection checklist for every PM visit.
Each topic lists its own precautions. For example, PRV-621 (Preventing Transformer Water Ingress) starts with: LOTO the circuit before opening any base can for inspection or preventive work.
Related references in the topics include SOP-PRV-01 (Preventive Maintenance Procedure), SOP-CIVIL-02 (Drainage and Base-Can Remediation Procedure), SOP-RCL-12 (Transformer Test and Replacement Procedure), SOP-RCL-03 (Fixture Replacement Procedure), SOP-RCL-02 (Series Circuit Fault Location Procedure), SOP-PHM-01 (Photometric Survey Procedure), SOP-SGN-01 (Illuminated Sign Maintenance Procedure) and SOP-CCR-04 (CCR LOTO Procedure), and 9 more.
Where a standard applies, it appears in the topic's Related References. Those cited in this division include ICAO Annex 14 Vol I, FAA AC 150/5340-30, FAA AC 150/5345-26, IEEE C57.12.91, FAA AC 150/5345-46, IEC 60364, IEEE 43, ICAO Annex 14 Vol I Appendix 2, FAA AC 150/5345-44 and FAA AC 150/5345-10, among others.
Use the search box at the top of the page to filter the 20 published topics by code, fault name or keyword; matching topics open automatically. Each diagnostic record can also be downloaded as a Word (.doc) file.
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