EN 4640-003:2008

Overview

EN 4640-003:2008 is a European standard developed by CEN that specifies the product requirements for aerospace-grade plug optical connectors. These connectors are rectangular, rack and panel mounted, and designed with multicontact interfaces featuring a 1.25 mm diameter ferrule and a removable alignment sleeve holder. This standard ensures high-quality, reliable optical connectivity tailored to the stringent demands of aerospace electrical systems and equipment.

The standard is part of a broader aerospace series focused on optical connectors, ensuring compatibility and standardization for aerospace applications. It aligns with ARINC Specification 600, which governs air transport avionics equipment interfaces, providing dimensional and mechanical consistency.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Focuses on plug optical connectors within the aerospace sector, describing multicontact, rectangular connectors that enable rack and panel installation.

• Dimensional Specifications
  Strict outer dimension requirements referencing ARINC Specification 600 for mechanical compatibility and optical contact positioning.

• Materials and Surface Treatments
  Specifies materials and surface treatments to meet aerospace durability and environmental resistance standards, as outlined in ARINC Specification 600.

• Optical, Mechanical, and Climatic Performance
  Optical and mechanical performance criteria are cross-referenced with EN 4640-002, ensuring connectors deliver robust performance under harsh climatic and operational conditions.

• Designation and Marking
  Detailed marking requirements include unique identifiers, manufacture date (year and week), and manufacturer name or trademark. Marking also conforms to EN 2424 for aerospace product marking standards.

• Normative References
  Incorporates essential standards and documents, including:

  • EN 4640-001: Technical specifications for optical connectors
  • EN 4640-002: Product standards list
  • EN 2424: Aerospace product marking
  • ARINC Specification 600: Avionics equipment interface specifications

Applications

EN 4640-003:2008 plug optical connectors are essential in aerospace electrical and avionics systems where reliable high-speed optical data transmission is critical. Typical applications include:

• Aircraft Communication Systems
  High-performance optical networks for data transfer in avionics and flight control systems.

• Rack and Panel Avionics Equipment
  Optical connections in modular avionics or electronic racks for stable, easy-to-maintain interconnectivity.

• Defense Aerospace Systems
  Military aircraft and space vehicles requiring rugged, precise optical connectors standards-compliant with aerospace quality assurance.

• Aerospace Manufacturing and Maintenance
  Facilitates consistent production and inspection procedures aligned with European aerospace industry requirements.

Related Standards

• EN 4640-001: Aerospace series – Technical specifications for optical connectors
  Provides foundational requirements for optical connector performance and design.

• EN 4640-002: Aerospace series – List of product standards
  Defines related product standards within the 1.25 mm ferrule aerospace optical connector series.

• EN 2424: Aerospace product marking
  Establishes marking protocols ensuring traceability and compliance within aerospace supply chains.

• ARINC Specification 600
  Key avionics equipment interface standard specifying mechanical form factors for rack and panel components, referenced extensively for connector dimensions in EN 4640-003.

This standard is crucial for aerospace engineers, manufacturers, and quality control specialists aiming to implement or maintain high-reliability optical connector systems. Adhering to EN 4640-003:2008 guarantees interoperability, durability, and safety compliance within critical aerospace applications.

Keywords: EN 4640-003:2008, aerospace optical connectors, plug optical connector, rectangular multicontact connectors, 1.25 mm ferrule, ARINC Specification 600, aerospace electrical interfaces, rack and panel connectors, optical connector standards, CEN aerospace standard.