Our airplanes are now more than 60 years old. Many of them have original wiring. That wiring would not be legal to install in today's aircraft. If your aircraft has original wiring, consider re-wiring it as a priority for your "things to do" list.
Many aircraft have had electrical systems modified to include automotive wiring which is patently unsafe for aircraft use. Automotive wiring is very sub-standard for aircraft use for many reasons, including lack of "tinning", improper insulation materials (usually PVC which has been outlawed in aircraft) and improper conductor density. Do not use common automotive wiring in an aircraft!
Most original systems use fuses. A few modifications may use circuit breakers. Many upgraded aircraft have circuit breakers exclusively. CB's are wonderful, and one of the many reasons pilots like them is because they are easily "resettable". But don't do it in-flight unless absolutely necessary and only if it's an essential system. Very few such systems exist in Cessna 170's. Remember, you do NOT need a radio to get on the ground in most cases.
Here's a link to an article which tells of a crew who likely died because of such matters. Read it, and read the AOPA Air Safety Foundation supplement concerning pilot actions in case of inflight fires.
Remember: Don't re-set Circuit Breakers. Get it on the ground! Now! (Don't insist upon an airport, either.)
http://www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/2009/sp0905.html
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/SB08.pdf
InFlight Safety: Fire!
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
InFlight Safety: Fire!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.