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Airfield Ground Lighting Testing Equipment for Seaward Electronics Ltd.

Beckwith applies his research skills to the design of niche products with high technical specifications. Test equipment manufacturer Seaward commissioned him in 2010 to design a voltage detector to monitor potential electrical discharge from high voltage Airfield Ground Lighting Systems (AGLs). Seaward has over 70 years' experience in the manufacture of market-leading electrical test equipment. Its range of test equipment is used for both precision measurement and monitoring safety. It is bespoke and of exceptionally high quality. Seaward identified a worldwide market for a hand-held probe to detect voltage leakage in airport runway lighting systems. No such detector was previously available and staff had managed with a ‘hand-made’ device. Beckwith was commissioned to design, prototype and produce all the manufacturing production jigs for what became the Seaward AGL-5; a two-pole voltage detector. The detector indicates the presence of voltages greater than 50V AC and is ideal for probing and testing on AGL systems up to 5000V. It is totally encapsulated in a rugged, high impact carcass and is IP64 rated. The ultra-bright high intensity red LED indicators and a polarizing filter make readouts clearly visible in all working environments. The inclusion of an electrical creepage cone helped to reduce the device’s overall length. The AGL-5 is supplied complete with a proving unit for proof testing before and after use and a protective carry case. The solution conforms to EU, UK and USA standards and through the design and manufacture process was fully Health & Safety tested. This product has allowed Seaward to take a lead in designing high voltage aviation lighting safety. The AGL-5 has been adopted by numerous airports and RAF bases in the UK, and has also been sold to airports in Dubai, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the USA.