ASTM F3316/F3316M — Standard Specification for Electrical Systems of Aircraft with Electric or Hybrid-Electric Propulsion covers the electrical systems, equipment, and power distribution architectures required for airworthiness in electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. It is developed under the ASTM F39 Committee and is accepted by the FAA as a Means of Compliance (MoC) for type certification programmes.
Scope
F3316 applies to the electrical power system (EPS) of aircraft whose propulsion is entirely or partially electric. It establishes minimum performance, safety, and installation requirements for high-voltage power buses, energy storage systems, power conversion equipment, and associated wiring. The standard is intended to complement existing airworthiness regulations (14 CFR Part 23/25, CS-23/25) rather than replace them, providing specific technical criteria where those regulations are silent on electric propulsion.
Battery system relevance
F3316 is being actively revised to add direct references to ASTM F3653 for lithium battery installation requirements. For battery engineers, the standard addresses:
- High-voltage bus architecture and fault isolation requirements
- Battery system disconnects, fusing, and protection coordination
- Thermal management and cooling system integration
- Ground fault detection and isolation (GFDI) requirements
- Wiring and connector specifications for high-current DC systems
Relationship to other standards
F3316 works alongside ASTM F3239 (propulsion system), ASTM F3338 (electric engine design), and ASTM F3653 (lithium battery installation). Together these four ASTM standards form a coherent certification framework for electric aviation propulsion systems.
References
- ASTM F3316/F3316M-19 Standard Specification for Electrical Systems for Aircraft with Electric or Hybrid-Electric Propulsion, ASTM International