Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) during Transit, Turnaround or Overnight Stop

TASK 12-34-24-869-002-A-01
Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) during Transit, Turnaround or Overnight Stop

WARNING: DO NOT WEAR A HEADSET OR TOUCH CABLES/LINES CONNECTED TO THE AIRCRAFT, DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. LIGHTNING IS DANGEROUS.

1. Reason for the Job
Transit refers to an aircraft during its regular operations and includes overnight stops when the aircraft is at a terminal gate or on the ramp.
During transit, it is mandatory to ground (earth) the aircraft when you do maintenance tasks with equipment that is externally supplied from a domestic or industrial network. This includes:

Electrical power tools
Electrical power sources
Electrical lights
Electrical instruments.

During transit, it is not necessary to ground (earth) the aircraft when you do maintenance tasks with equipment that is supplied with electrical power from:

The aircraft electrical system (Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), engine or battery) or
An external power source (Ground Power Unit (GPU)) or
Battery.

2. Job Set-up Information
A. Referenced Information

REFERENCE	DESIGNATION
TASK 12-34-24-869-002-A	Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) for the Maintenance Operations
TASK 20-17-00-910-001-A	Maintenance in Storm Conditions - Safety Practices

3. Job Set-up
Subtask 12-34-24-860-050-A

A. Grounding (Earthing) of the Aircraft and Workstand(s)
(1) You must ground (earth) the workstand(s).
(2) During storm conditions or when there are electrical atmospheric conditions:

Stop the maintenance operations that are external to the aircraft (Ref. AMM TASK 20-17-00-910-001).
Make sure that the aircraft is grounded (earthed).
Make sure that there is no personnel around the aircraft.

(3) Do the grounding (earthing) before you start the maintenance operations.
(a) If a grounding (earthing) point is available near the aircraft, refer to paragraph 4.A. Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) when a Grounding (Earthing) Point is Available.
(b) If no grounding (earthing) point is available near the aircraft, refer to paragraph 4.B. Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) when no Grounding (Earthing) Point is Available.

4. Procedure
Subtask 12-34-24-869-058-A

WARNING: ALWAYS CONNECT THE GROUNDING (EARTHING) CABLE TO THE PARKING GROUND (EARTH) POINT BEFORE YOU CONNECT IT TO THE AIRCRAFT. DO NOT ATTACH THE CABLE TO THE AIRCRAFT FIRST (THERE IS A RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK).

CAUTION: ATTACH THE GROUNDING (EARTHING) CABLE ONLY TO THE SPECIFIED GROUNDING (EARTHING) POINTS ON THE AIRCRAFT.

A. Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) when a Grounding (Earthing) Point is Available

NOTE: This procedure is the recommended procedure. It is applicable if a parking grounding (earthing) point is available near the aircraft. It is also applicable when you do maintenance tasks with equipment that is externally supplied from a domestic or industrial network. This includes:

Electrical power tools
Electrical power sources
Electrical lights
Electrical instruments.

(1) If you do maintenance tasks with equipment that is externally supplied from a domestic or industrial network, do the aircraft grounding (earthing) for the maintenance operations (Ref. AMM TASK 12-34-24-869-002).

Subtask 12-34-24-869-060-A

B. Aircraft Grounding (Earthing) when no Grounding (Earthing) Point is Available

NOTE: This procedure is an alternative procedure. It is applicable only if no parking grounding (earthing) point is available near the aircraft and when an external power supply or GPU is available. It is also applicable when you do maintenance tasks with equipment that is externally supplied from a domestic or industrial network. This includes:

Electrical power tools
Electrical power sources
Electrical lights
Electrical instruments.

(1) Make sure that the external power receptacle and the external power supply or GPU neutral connection are in a good condition.
(2) Make sure that the GPU neutral connection is connected to the network grounding (earthing) point.
(3) Airbus recommends that you get a grounding (earthing) cable that has a section of 22 mm2 (0.034 in.2) or more.
(4) Make sure that the total electrical resistance between the grounding (earthing) point and the GPU neutral connection is not more than 500 milliohms.

5. Close-up
Subtask 12-34-24-860-051-A

A. Disconnect the Grounding (Earthing) Cables
(1) After the maintenance operation, disconnect all the grounding (earthing) cables.

[Rev.10 from 2021] 2026.04.02 06:10:38 UTC