Engineering Internship Assignment

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

At Fokker Elmo (part of GKN Aerospace), the Engineering department is comprised of different disciplines in the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) core business. This internship is related to the EWIS Components & Environmental testing (ECE) discipline of the Fokker Elmo Engineering department.

EWIS Components & Environmental testing (ECE): this discipline is mainly responsible for the (standard) parts, materials and constructions definition, selection and qualification (testing). This is most critical for EWIS configurations in the most demanding environments, such as engines and landing gears.

The term EWIS covers all wiring harnesses (bundles) in a typical aircraft, which perform the function of power- and data transportation in between electrical equipment (from the generation of electrical power up to the individual electrical equipment of the different aircraft systems).

Engineering Internship Assignment

Challenge for the applicant

Fokker Elmo is aiming to characterize pollution levels representative of aerospace environments and to establish a methodology for accurately reproducing these conditions in laboratory tests.

Task Description

Subject: Impact of Pollution Degree on Creepage

Fokker Elmo is one of the pioneers in airborne High Voltage (HV) systems, actively engaged in the development of HV EWIS harness components. One of the primary challenges with HV is managing creepage. Creepage is the shortest distance along the surface of a solid insulation material between two conductive parts and it is a key part of the design of HV devices as ensuring adequate creepage is essential to prevent surface arcing and maintain system safety and reliability.

The IEC 60664-1 standard specifies requirements for creepage when applicable to solid insulation based on equipment performance criteria. However, the standard’s definition of pollution degree remains vague and open to interpretation. Fokker Elmo aims to establish a clear and consistent definition of pollution degree as it relates to creepage design. This definition will subsequently be applied in a standardized procedure in laboratory testing to validate creepage performance for HV EWIS solutions. The internship will revolve around the definition of pollution levels, a standardized application method, and verification of the standardized application method.

Required applicant profile

• Education Level: University of Applied Sciences
• Type of Internship: Final year assignment
• Required Language: English / Dutch; verbal & written
• Start date: January/ September

Who we are

Fokker Elmo designs, manufactures and supports Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for Aerospace and Defense programs.

GKN Aerospace is a tier one aerospace supplier of systems and components, serving over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers.

An innovative and international workplace with opportunities to build your career and work on your personal development.