How can explosions be prevented when Refuelling aircraft?

A build-up of static charge is a potential danger when refuelling aircraft or vehicles. To prevent this, aircraft are earthed with a conductor during re-fuelling. Less dangerous, but sometimes painful, a spark discharge may happen if a charged person touches an earthed conductor.

What safety measures are used when aircraft refuel?

Safety Precautions. (1) Ground the fueling/defueling equipment (vehicle or fuel hydrant equipment) to the airplane with designated grounding cable(s). Ensure fueling/defueling equipment is grounded to an approved static ground. Ground the airplane to an approved static ground with grounding cable.

How bonding and grounding help prevent fire during aircraft refueling?

Bonding ensures electrical continuity between the aircraft and the refuelling vehicle, preventing any spark to appear when the ground operator connects the refuelling hose to the aircraft coupling. It is mandatory to bond the aircraft to the refuelling vehicle/device before connecting the refuelling hose (fig. 1).

Why does an airplane need to be earthed before they can put fuel in?

We ground an aircraft during the refueling process to ensure that the plane and the refueling apparatus are at the same electrical potential and to dissipate the electrical charge that is generated by the fuel transfer process. In aviation, we have the added safety of a ground cable.

How do airplanes get rid of static electricity?

An overview of the methods adopted in aircraft industry to eliminate or reduce the electrostatic charge accumulation on insulating surfaces is presented: the most used techniques consist in applying coatings containing metal particles, “thermal spraying” metallic powders, or wires on nonconductive materials.

How are aircrafts refueled?

Generally, at airports, fuel providers have low-rising fuel trucks that can park under or next to the wings. The driver will jump out of the cab and connect the hose to the wing and can pump the kerosene in at a rate of 634 gallons per minute (2,400 liters per minute).

How the earthing point is taken for Aeroplanes?

Electronics and electrical systems in airplanes are grounded via the aircraft’s exterior body. When lightning strikes an airplane, the body absorbs the excess electricity due to its highly conductive nature, and it releases the electricity into the atmosphere through the static dischargers.

How an aircraft can become electrically charged while it is flying?

Precipitation static is an electrical charge on an airplane caused by flying through rain, snow, ice, or dust particles. Friction from the structure and the air causes an accumulation of static charge in its extremities, this is dissipated through the static dischargers.

What should you do after fueling an aircraft?

When fueling is complete, always double check the security of all fuel caps and ensure that bonding wires have been removed and stowed. Removing the fuel contained in aircraft fuel tanks is sometimes required. This can occur for maintenance, inspection, or due to contamination. Occasionally, a change in flight plan may require defueling.

How close can a vehicle be to an aircraft during fueling?

Internal combustion engine vehicles should not be permitted within 50 feet of the aircraft being fueled. The vehicle performing fueling operations is not to be positioned within 10 feet of the aircraft fuel vent system. The use of electrical equipment on the servicing ramp during fueling shall be prohibited.

What should you not do while refueling a plane?

Do not operate any electrical and radio equipment in this operation. while refueling, do not connect the external ground power if its not connected before. And do not disconnect the ground power if its not connected before refueling. do not operate of shutdown APU when refueling is being done.

What are the steps involved in aircraft refueling?

1 There are several steps of aircraft refueling and it starts with the grounding of aircraft and the fuel tanker. 2 Next, connect the fueling nozzle grounding cable to the aircraft grounding receptacle and immediately remove the filler cap. 3 Stop fueling once the desired fuel quantity has been reached.