EN 4057-404:2006

Overview

EN 4057-404:2006 is a European standard developed by CEN and the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD-STAN) that specifies the test methods for evaluating the suitability of cable ties used in harness assemblies for aerospace applications, focusing specifically on low temperature installation conditions. This standard is part of the EN 4057 aerospace series and complements the general test requirements outlined in EN 4057-100. It ensures that cable ties maintain performance reliability when installed at temperatures as low as −15 °C, a critical factor for aerospace harness integrity and safety.

Key Topics

• Low Temperature Installation Testing
  The standard defines the procedure to assess cable tie performance during installation in cold environments. This involves preconditioning specimens in a cold chamber at −15 °C for a minimum of one hour, mounting them on test mandrels while still cold, then allowing them to return to room temperature before tensile testing.

• Test Procedure and Apparatus
  Testing requires a cold chamber capable of maintaining −15 °C and a tensile tester in accordance with EN 4057-401 for loop tensile strength measurements. Specimens are conditioned, installed on mandrels at low temperature, and then subjected to tensile strength tests within two hours of removal from the cold environment.

• Performance Requirements
  The tested cable ties must meet or exceed the minimum force to failure specified in EN 4056-001, ensuring the cable ties can withstand necessary loads post low-temperature installation without failure.

• Normative References
  EN 4057-404 is used in combination with:

  • EN 4057-100: General test methods for cable ties
  • EN 4057-401: Loop tensile strength test methods
  • EN 4056-001: Technical specification for aerospace cable ties

Applications

• Aerospace Harness Assemblies
  This standard is essential for manufacturers and quality assurance teams designing and testing cable ties used in aerospace wiring harnesses. It ensures cable ties perform safely and reliably during low temperature installations encountered in aerospace maintenance, storage, or operation.

• Environmental Simulation Testing
  It supports aerospace component testing programs that simulate extreme environmental conditions, vital for qualifying hardware for flight and ground operations.

• Material and Product Development
  Engineers developing new cable tie materials can use this standard to verify that their products retain mechanical properties and installation capability at sub-zero temperatures.

• Quality Control and Compliance
  Aerospace suppliers apply EN 4057-404 to maintain conformity with customer specifications and regulatory requirements, helping avoid failures and improve safety margins in aerospace electrical systems.

Related Standards

• EN 4057-100 - Aerospace Cable Ties: General Test Methods
  Provides the overarching test framework and specifies general requirements and setup for cable tie evaluation.

• EN 4057-401 - Aerospace Cable Ties: Loop Tensile Strength
  Details the method for determining the mechanical strength of cable ties by measuring the force required to cause failure in a tensile test.

• EN 4056-001 - Aerospace Cable Ties: Technical Specifications
  Defines the performance criteria and technical parameters that cable ties must meet for aerospace use.

• Additional Aerospace Environmental Standards
  Other related environmental and material standards may apply to complement testing and product qualification, ensuring comprehensive aerospace component reliability.

Compliance with EN 4057-404:2006 provides aerospace manufacturers and engineers with a robust and standardized method to verify the suitability of cable ties for harnesses in low temperature conditions. This ensures enhanced reliability, safety, and durability of aerospace electrical systems under cold environmental stresses.