EN 3841-201:2004

Overview

EN 3841-201:2004 - "Aerospace series - Circuit breakers - Test methods - Part 201: Visual inspection" is a CEN-approved European standard that specifies a simple, repeatable method for visual inspection of aerospace circuit breakers. Intended to be used together with EN 3841-100 (General), this document defines the scope and basic requirements for non-magnified visual checks carried out during production, testing and after environmental exposure.

Key topics and requirements

• Inspection method
  • Visual inspection shall be performed without magnification.
• Areas to inspect
  • General appearance: surface finish, colour and overall assembly quality.
  • Markings and inscriptions: conformity, legibility and quality of labels, part numbers and safety markings.
  • Calibration seal: presence and undamaged condition of calibration or tamper-evident seals.
  • Post-climatic inspection: after climatic or environmental tests, inspect for corrosion or poor legibility of markings.
• Reference
  • Must be applied in conjunction with EN 3841-100, which provides general test-method requirements for the EN 3841 series.

Practical applications

• Production quality control
  • Routine inspection of newly manufactured aerospace circuit breakers to confirm surface finish, assembly and marking integrity before release.
• Incoming inspection
  • Verifying supplier parts during incoming goods checks to ensure conformity with labeling and seals.
• Environmental and post-test assessment
  • Assessment after climatic, moisture or corrosion testing to detect deterioration in markings, seals or surfaces.
• MRO and in-service checks
  • Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) technicians and avionics inspectors use the visual method as a quick verification step during scheduled maintenance or troubleshooting.
• Procurement and certification
  • Purchasing agents, quality assurance teams and certification bodies reference the standard to define acceptance criteria and inspection procedures.

Who uses this standard

• Aerospace manufacturers and component suppliers
• Quality assurance and inspection teams
• MRO organizations and avionics technicians
• Certification authorities and procurement departments

Related standards

• EN 3841-100 - Aerospace series – Circuit breakers – Test methods – Part 100: General (mandatory companion document)
• EN 3841 series (other parts) - additional test methods for circuit breakers in aerospace applications

EN 3841-201:2004 provides a concise, practical visual inspection routine that supports traceability, safety and conformance for aerospace circuit-breaker components. Keywords: EN 3841-201:2004, circuit breakers, visual inspection, aerospace test methods, calibration seal, markings, EN 3841-100.