Universal master breakout unit for testing avionic systems

摘要

A universal breakout unit is provided whereby aircraft circuits or systems may be accessed and tested regardless of the design differences between the various aircraft systems. The universal breakout unit comprises an array of associated pairs of input and output jacks which are disposed on a face panel of the breakout unit. Each input jack of each associated pair is uniformly wired to a connection with one or more input connectors. Similarly, each one of the output jacks of the associated pairs is wired to one connection within one or more output connectors. The input and output jacks are selectively coupled to each other through a manual toggle switch. A specially wired harness, corresponding to each specific aircraft circuit, is provided for connection to the input connector or output connector. A template which is designed to fit the face plate of the breakout unit and the array of associated pairs of jacks which corresponds to the selected harnesses and the selected aircraft circuit can then be placed on the face plate of the master breakout unit. Labels on the template designate what signal or test point will then appear across the proximate pair of jacks. The signal may be tested through the use of patch cords coupling meters which may be included within the master breakout unit or may be coupled to meters or other test devices separate from the breakout unit.