BS EN 61821:2011

What is BS EN 61821 - AGL constant current series circuits about?

AGL is defined as any light specially provided as an aid to air navigation, other than a light displayed on an aircraft. BS EN 61821 is an International Standard that discusses electrical installations for lighting and beaconing of aerodromes.

BS EN 61821 applies to the maintenance of AGL constant current series circuits.

BS EN 61821 covers constant current series circuits for AGL installed at aerodromes and heliports.

Note 1: BS EN 61821 is not intended to apply to AGL primary series circuits supplied directly from a mains constant voltage source.

Note 2: BS EN 61821 is not intended to be used for public street lighting, roadway lighting or any other installation requiring the use of constant current series circuits.

Who is BS EN 61821 - AGL constant current series circuits for?

BS EN 61821 on AGL constant current series circuits is useful for:

• The aviation and aerospace industry
• Aerodrome / helipad authorities
• Entities involved in commissioning, maintenance, decommissioning, and disposal of AGL systems
• Electrical equipment manufacturers
• Contractors
• AGL operators
• Designers and installers of AGL systems and related components
• Product design / innovation engineers
• Aeronautical engineers
• Regulatory bodies
• Quality control teams

Why should you use BS EN 61821 - AGL constant current series circuits?

Considering that the primary goal of AGL is to improve flight safety in international air navigation, one aspect that helps achieve this is when electric insulation meets standardized requirements.

BS EN 61821 contains the management, safety, and procedural requirements specific to the maintenance of an aeronautical ground lighting (AGL) constant current series circuit. BS EN 61821 has taken into consideration existing national standards, requirements, and practices. Maintenance activities are required to ensure that the AGL constant current series circuit continues to meet the operational requirements and minimize the occurrence of operational failures.

Conforming to BS EN 61821 demonstrates to relevant bodies that the requirements have been satisfied and therefore that the clause objectives have been met.

BS EN 61821 is mainly concerned with safety to persons by specifying the rules and fundamental principles for the maintenance of AGL constant current series circuits.

BS EN 61821 assists you in defining the essential principles for providing safe, dependable, and efficient operation of AGL systems that contribute to minimizing aviation risks.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 61821:2011 supersedes BS EN 61821:2003 which is withdrawn. BS EN 61821:2011 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 61821:2003. These include:

• Addition of references to normative references
• Addition of notes in Clauses 5, 6 and 7
• Modification of pre-work procedures in item e) of 7.2.2