Steve Shannon
Well-Known Member
The adoption of remotely switched avionics can greatly reduce the risk of user injury caused by the ignition of a sustainer motor or deployment charge when a staging controller or altimeter is turned on.
Recent discussions have reminded us of situations we failed to consider, such as when the rocket is being transported or when it’s presented for pre-flight inspection. The Tripoli Board of Directors has revised a decision which allowed the use of a wireless remote switch instead of a physical switch with staging devices or deployment controllers:
This revision, which takes place immediately, requires that all devices which control staging or energetic charges must be physically disconnected from power or must have their initiators mechanically disconnected from potential power sources while being transported or when presented for pre-flight inspection. Such disconnection may be done between the pyrotechnic battery and the device or between the device and any pyrotechnic initiator device(s). Either mechanical switches or complete physical disconnections may be used.
Those circuits which include Tripoli approved wireless remote switches may have the physical disconnections reconnected once the rocket is out on the range (either near the pad or at a special preparation area), thus transferring control to the remote switch.. Although the rocket must be pointed in a safe direction at all times, it is not required to have the rocket on the pad and vertical when the mechanical connections are made if the wireless remote switch is in its safe state. The rocket must be on the pad and upright and all personnel must be at a safe distance away from the pad when the wireless remote switch is commanded closed.
The current list of Tripoli approved wireless remote switches includes:
• The Eggfinder WiFi Switch,
• The Eggfinder Proton,
• The Eggfinder Quantum, and
• Multitronix Kate 2.0.
Important: Circuits for staging or deployment charges that do not have an approved wireless remote switch may not be switched on until the rocket is upright on the pad and pointed in a safe direction as required by NFPA 1127.
Please note that this only applies to circuits that contain energetic charges, igniters, electric matches, or rocket motors. Tracking devices, cameras, telemetry, or other electronics that do not include energetics are not subject to this limitation but it is the responsibility of the flyer to verify that those devices do not affect nearby energetic electronics.
Please also note that this is not because of any failure or perceived risk from any of the wireless remote switches.
Other manufacturers wishing to have their wireless remote switches considered for approval by the Tripoli Board of Directors, should submit via the following form: https://www.tripoli.org/contact
Thanks,
Steve
Recent discussions have reminded us of situations we failed to consider, such as when the rocket is being transported or when it’s presented for pre-flight inspection. The Tripoli Board of Directors has revised a decision which allowed the use of a wireless remote switch instead of a physical switch with staging devices or deployment controllers:
This revision, which takes place immediately, requires that all devices which control staging or energetic charges must be physically disconnected from power or must have their initiators mechanically disconnected from potential power sources while being transported or when presented for pre-flight inspection. Such disconnection may be done between the pyrotechnic battery and the device or between the device and any pyrotechnic initiator device(s). Either mechanical switches or complete physical disconnections may be used.
Those circuits which include Tripoli approved wireless remote switches may have the physical disconnections reconnected once the rocket is out on the range (either near the pad or at a special preparation area), thus transferring control to the remote switch.. Although the rocket must be pointed in a safe direction at all times, it is not required to have the rocket on the pad and vertical when the mechanical connections are made if the wireless remote switch is in its safe state. The rocket must be on the pad and upright and all personnel must be at a safe distance away from the pad when the wireless remote switch is commanded closed.
The current list of Tripoli approved wireless remote switches includes:
• The Eggfinder WiFi Switch,
• The Eggfinder Proton,
• The Eggfinder Quantum, and
• Multitronix Kate 2.0.
Important: Circuits for staging or deployment charges that do not have an approved wireless remote switch may not be switched on until the rocket is upright on the pad and pointed in a safe direction as required by NFPA 1127.
Please note that this only applies to circuits that contain energetic charges, igniters, electric matches, or rocket motors. Tracking devices, cameras, telemetry, or other electronics that do not include energetics are not subject to this limitation but it is the responsibility of the flyer to verify that those devices do not affect nearby energetic electronics.
Please also note that this is not because of any failure or perceived risk from any of the wireless remote switches.
Other manufacturers wishing to have their wireless remote switches considered for approval by the Tripoli Board of Directors, should submit via the following form: https://www.tripoli.org/contact
Thanks,
Steve
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