[email protected] wrote: > > This is not a safety or EMI question, but because this group has such > broad backgrounds and diversity I am hoping that someone can comment. > > I have been asked by one of our customers to ensure that our equipment > is capable of being shipped in an un-pressurized aircraft for altitudes > of 30K to 40 K feet. This is a non operational requirement, but are > there other concerns I should be aware of? I recall hearing that some > commercial grade electrolytic could explode at high altitudes.
Your concerns are valid. Not just electrolytic. Many types of electronic components, particularly capacitors, will fail, usually not explosively, just a latent defect as Robert Macy describes. Most components are certified for operation or storage to 10K feet. You can sometimes find parts certified for high vacuum but I doubt if you will find electrolytics. Your solution is to specify only pressured cargo airplanes. I am told that most airplanes are pressurized in the cargo area but I have not idea which airplanes are not. Fred Townsend DC to Light Silicon Valley
