EN 3841-501:2004

Overview

EN 3841-501:2004 - Aerospace series - Circuit breakers - Test methods - Part 501: Actuator button travel defines a simple, repeatable method for verifying the travel position of circuit breaker actuator buttons used in aerospace equipment. Published by CEN (prepared by AECMA-STAN), this test method is intended to be used together with EN 3841-100 (general test methods). EN 3841-501:2004 ensures actuator button dimensions and travel positions comply with the associated product standard tolerances.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Verifies actuator button travel (position of the button end relative to the mounting surface).
• Measurement orientation: Dimensions are measured parallel to the actuator’s longitudinal axis (the direction of travel).
• Test conditions: Measurements are taken with the circuit breaker in both the closed and open positions.
• Repetition: Each measurement is performed three times, with one mechanical switching operation between successive measurements.
• Result evaluation: The mean of the recorded measurements is used and must fall within the tolerances specified in the applicable product standard.
• Reference requirement: This part shall be applied together with EN 3841-100 (Aerospace series – Circuit breakers – Test methods – Part 100: General).

Practical applications and who uses this standard

EN 3841-501:2004 is practical for any organization involved in the manufacture, testing, certification or maintenance of aerospace circuit breakers:

• Aerospace manufacturers - to verify design conformance and production quality of circuit breaker actuators.
• Test laboratories - to perform standardized acceptance and qualification tests.
• Quality assurance teams - for incoming inspection, batch verification and final test records.
• Maintenance and overhaul facilities - to confirm actuator travel after repair or refurbishment.
• Certification and regulatory bodies - as part of compliance evidence during component qualification.

Use cases include production inspection, design verification, periodic maintenance checks, and failure investigations where actuator travel deviations may indicate wear or damage.

Related standards

• EN 3841-100 - Aerospace series – Circuit breakers – Test methods – Part 100: General (normative reference that defines overall test conditions and common procedures).
• Product-specific circuit breaker standards and the applicable product standard (which defines the tolerance limits for actuator travel).

Keywords: EN 3841-501:2004, actuator button travel, circuit breakers, aerospace test methods, EN 3841-100, actuator travel measurement, CEN aerospace standard.