About Element Oxford Laboratory
Element Oxford, previously known as Culham Lightning Studies Unit (CLSU), was originally established in 1972 and acquired by Element in 2018.
Located in Abingdon, UK, the test facility provides comprehensive lightning testing services and consultancy to the aerospace and defence sectors. It’s the only commercial laboratory in the country with the capability to test aerostructures for the effects of direct lightning strikes (DO160/ED14 Section 23 testing).
With highly customisable generators our expert team are also able to cover a large array of ground based and bespoke lightning test waveforms.
Compliance and capabilities at Element Oxford
Approvals, accreditations and documents
Standards tested to as this location
These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
Indirect Effects of lightning testing / advisory Aircraft Level:
- Full Aircraft Testing/Modelling to EUROCAE ED105B / SAE ARP5416 section 6
- Aircraft Lightning Zoning to EUROCAE ED-84A / SAE ARP5414
Indirect Effects of lightning testing Aviation components:
- DO160- D/E/F/G Section 22
- EUROCAE ED-14G: SECTION 22
- MIL STD 461 G CS 117
- SPE-J-000-E-1000 LEMP EFA 1 (up to 30kA) and LEMP EFA 2
- AECTP 250 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- AECTP-500 ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TEST AND VERIFICATION
Indirect Effects of Lightning (Other):
- EN 2591-214 Elements of electrical and optical connection, Test Methods, Part 214: Lightning strike, current and voltage pulse
- IEC 61000-4-5 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-5: Testing and measurement techniques - Surge immunity test (up to 40kv / 20kA)
- IEC 60243-3 Electric strength of insulating materials - Test methods - Part 3: Additional requirements for 1,2/50 μs impulse tests
- IEC 61643-1 Low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 1: Surge protective devices connected to low-voltage power distribution systems - Requirements and tests
Direct Effects of lightning testing:
- High Voltage Strike Attachment tests
- DO160- D/E/F/G Section 23.4.1
- High Current Lightning testing using waveforms as per EUROCAE ED 84A / SAE ARP5412 following testing methodology as per EUROCAE ED105B / SAE ARP5416 Section 5.1
- ED105B Section 5.1.1 Initial Attachment Tests
- ED105B Section 5.1.2 High Voltage testing for determining the Distance between diverters
- ED105B Section 5.1.3 Swept leader or Channel Attachment tests
- ED105B Section 5.1.4 High Voltage Strike
- Attachment tests on models
High Current Physical Damage Tests:
- Test Waveforms
- High Current Lightning testing using waveforms as per ED 84A
- Current Waveforms
- Waveform A 2kA to 200kA
- Waveform Ah up to 150kA
- Waveform D up to 140kA
- Waveform B as per ED84A
- Waveform C* as per ED84A
- Waveform C as per ED84A
- Waveform 5A up to 120kA
- Waveform 5B up to 30kA
- Waveform 10/350 to 15kA as per IEC 61400-24:2019
- Other bespoke waveforms are possible
Test Methods:
- DO160- D/E/F/G Section 23.4.2 following testing methodology as per ED105B / ARP 5416
- ED105B 5.2.1 Arc Entry Tests
- ED105B 5.2.2 Non-Conductive Surfaces Tests
- ED105B 5.2.3 Conducted Current Tests
- ED105B 5.2.4 Current Transfer to underlying systems
- ED105B 5.2.5 Measurement of Injected Transients in External Hardware
Fuel Systems Tests:
- Conduction Tests (8.3)
- Conduction tests to complete tanks or complete tank subassemblies (8.3.1)
- Conduction tests on fuel tank coupon specimens (8.3.2)
- Conduction tests to fuel system components (8.3.3)
- Direct Strike Tests (8.4):
- Direct strike tests on complete tanks or tank sections (8.4.1)
- Direct strike tests on coupon specimens (8.4.2)
- Direct strike tests to externally mounted fuel system equipment (8.4.3)
- Voltage Breakdown Tests (8.5):
- Voltage breakdown tests of small gaps (8.5.1)
- High Voltage Corona and Streamer Test (8.6):
- HV streamer test (8.6.1)
- Methods for Detection of Ignition Sources (8.7):
- Optical method (8.7.1)
- Ignitable mixture (flammable gas) test method (8.7.2)
Components we test at this location
These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
External Aviation Equipment
- Lights
- Antennas
- Satcom Radomes
- Missiles
Internal Aviation Equipment
- Component level Pin Injection/Cable Bundle
- System level Cable Bundle
- Full Aircraft level tests and modelling to determine aircraft ATL’s
Aircraft Structures
- Aircraft Superstructure
- Radomes
- Flaps
- Fuel Tank Access Covers
- Helicopter blades
- Helicopter Borne Electrostatic Discharge Testing (HESD) as per MIL-STD-331D
- Propellers
- Drop Tanks
Ground based Lightning Protection
- Wind Turbines
- Telecommunications and signalling networks
- Low-voltage power distribution systems
Global expertise
Working with Element, you have access to our global network of materials testing and product qualification test experts. Meet our Engaged Experts.