Airport lighting systems are core infrastructure ensuring the safe takeoff, landing, taxiing, and parking of aircraft. The requirements for cable reliability, safety, environmental adaptability, and electromagnetic compatibility are extremely stringent. As a key component of this system, airport lighting cables must operate stably for extended periods under complex conditions. TST CABLE Nico will provide a systematic analysis from the perspectives of application scenarios, technical requirements, product characteristics, standards and specifications, and development trends.
I. Main Application Scenarios
Runway Edge and Centerline Lighting Systems
Used to guide aircraft takeoff and landing at night or in low visibility conditions; Cables are buried under the runway surface or embedded in concrete, bearing aircraft wheel loads (>20 tons), vibration, and corrosion from de-icing fluid.
Taxiway Edge and Centerline Lighting
Guides aircraft on the ground; Cables are laid on both sides of the taxiway and must withstand frequent rolling, oil stains, and corrosion from adhesive removers.
Approach Lighting System (ALS)
Extends hundreds of meters beyond the runway threshold, providing approach guidance; some areas are exposed to the elements, including sunlight, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles.
Visual Approach Slope Indication System (PAPI/VASI)
Provides glide slope guidance; cable connections to high-precision lights require stable, interference-free signal transmission.
Apron Floodlighting and High-Mast Lighting
Ensures nighttime loading, unloading, and maintenance operations; cables must be flexible enough to withstand high-altitude installation and strong winds.
II. Core Performance Requirements of TST CABLE Airport Lighting Cables
Performance Dimensions Specific Requirements
Electrical Performance – Rated voltage is typically 5 kV (series circuit system)
- Insulation resistance ≥ 1 GΩ·km
- Partial discharge < 5 pC
Mechanical Performance – Compressive strength ≥ 10 kN (withstands aircraft crushing)
- Bending radius ≤ 12×D
- Resistance to repeated bending fatigue
Environmental Adaptability – Operating temperature: -40℃ to +90℃
- Resistant to aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, and de-icing fluids (such as ethylene glycol)
- Resistance to UV aging
Safety Performance – Flame retardant (IEC 60332-1)
- Low smoke halogen-free (LSOH, compliant with IEC 60754)
- Halogen-free leaching
Waterproof Sealing – IP68 waterproof rating (no leakage after long-term immersion)
- Longitudinal water-blocking structure (prevents moisture diffusion along the cable core)
Electromagnetic Compatibility – Shielded type is used for signal control circuits, resisting interference from airport radar and communication equipment.
III. Typical Cable Structure (Taking TST CABLE series runway light cable as an example)
Conductor: Tinned soft copper stranded wire (improves corrosion resistance and flexibility);
Insulation: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), high voltage and heat resistant;
Shielding layer (optional): Copper wire braid or aluminum-plastic composite tape, used for control/signal circuits;
Sheath:
Main cable: Black high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyurethane (PUR), abrasion resistant, oil resistant, and crack resistant;
Direct burial section: Steel tape armor (SWA) or stainless steel wire armor, to prevent mechanical damage;
Special designs:
Longitudinal water-blocking layer: Water-absorbing expansion tape or aluminum-plastic composite longitudinal wrapping;
Cold shrink/heat shrink terminals: Ensure reliable sealing at the joint to prevent moisture intrusion.
IV. Key International and Industry Standards
IEC 60502-2: Extruded insulated power cables with rated voltage of 1–30 kV;
FAA AC 150/5345-53D (US Federal Aviation Administration): Technical specifications for airport lighting and cables;
ICAO Annex 14 (International Civil Aviation Organization): Airport design and operation standards;
GB/T 12706.2 / GB/T 19666 (China): Power cables and flame retardant and fire-resistant requirements;
EN 50575: EU Building Products Regulation (CPR) classification of cable flammability (e.g., B2ca-s1, d1, a1).
V. Advantages of TST CABLE Airport Cables
✅ Designed specifically for airports: FAA/ICAO compatible, already used in multiple 4F-level airports;
✅ Fully sealed structure: Quadruple protection using insulation + longitudinal aluminum foil + HDPE sheath + water-blocking yarn, lifespan ≥ 30 years;
✅ Rapid customization: Supports non-standard lengths, color markings, and pre-installed joints, shortening on-site construction time;
✅ Intelligent monitoring compatibility: Can integrate fiber optic temperature measurement or carrier communication functions to achieve online monitoring of cable status;
✅ Localized service: Provides laying guidance, joint training, and 24-hour emergency response.
VI. Development Trends of Airport Lighting Cables
Intelligentization: Cables integrate sensing units to achieve real-time monitoring of temperature, current carrying capacity, and insulation status;
Greening: Fully utilizes halogen-free, low-smoke materials to meet airport carbon neutrality goals;
Modularization: TST CABLE pre-terminated cable systems reduce on-site joints and improve reliability;
High voltage: Some newly built airports use 10 kV systems to reduce line losses.
Airport lighting cables, though hidden underground, illuminate the safe return journey at 10,000 meters altitude.
Behind every smooth landing, a cable that can withstand crushing weight, extreme cold and heat, and maintain millisecond-level signal precision silently supports the journey.
TST CABLE manufactures every meter of cable to aviation-grade standards, ensuring that light never goes out and that lives arrive safely.
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