What are fasteners?
The bolts, screws, clamp bands and washers that hold a fixture together. They must hold against vibration and weather, yet come apart cleanly when the fixture is serviced.
A fixture is made of several parts that have to stay together for years outdoors. Fasteners do that job, and a small one that fails can let in water or let a whole part come loose.
1They hold the parts together
A clamp band or screws hold the lens to the body, screws hold covers and internal parts, and bolts fix the fixture to its base or mounting. Washers and locking features spread the load and stop parts working loose.
2They must suit the environment
Rain, de-icing chemicals and temperature swings attack metal, so fasteners are normally corrosion-resistant, often stainless steel. They must also suit the metals around them, as the wrong pairing can corrode or seize the thread. Frangible parts need the right fastener so they still break as designed.
3Tighten right and check
Tighten to the specified torque with the right tool, as too loose or too tight both cause failures. Apply it to the thread condition the manufacturer specifies, dry or with thread compound, because lubricant changes the clamp load for the same torque. Look for loose, corroded, stripped or wrong-type fasteners, and do not reuse damaged ones. Replace with the correct manufacturer part.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fasteners | Bolts, screws, nuts, washers and clamp bands |
| Used at | Lens clamp, body covers, base flange and mounting |
| Material | Corrosion-resistant, usually stainless steel, matched to the metals around it |
| Tightening | To the manufacturer-specified torque, on the specified thread condition, with the right tool |
| Protection | Washers, locking features and, where specified, thread compound |
| Check | Loose, corroded, damaged or wrong-type fasteners; seized threads |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What are fasteners in an airfield light fixture?
The bolts, screws, nuts, washers and clamp bands that hold the fixture parts together: the lens to the body, the covers, and the fixture to its base or mounting.
Q2Why does the material of a fastener matter?
Fasteners sit outdoors in rain, de-icing chemicals and temperature swings. They are normally corrosion-resistant, such as stainless steel, and must be compatible with the metals around them, or they can corrode, seize or damage the parts they hold.
Q3Why is tightening to the specified torque important?
Too loose and a part can shift, leak or work free from vibration. Too tight and threads, gaskets or frangible parts can be damaged. Use the manufacturer-specified torque and tools, on the thread condition specified (dry or with thread compound), and do not reuse damaged fasteners.
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