Overview
ISO 6858:2017 - Aircraft - Ground support electrical supplies - General requirements defines the electrical output characteristics and interface requirements between an aircraft and ground support electrical supplies. It covers external electric power generation facilities whether provided from a central source or as point-of-use units, and includes required safety features. The standard addresses nominal 28 V DC and either 115/200 V or 230/400 V three‑phase, 400 Hz AC outputs measured at the aircraft attaching connector. Performance and safety matters under regional control and ground-traffic control features (towing points, identification/warning lights, etc.) are excluded.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Electrical output characteristics
- Steady‑state and transient behaviour for AC (three‑phase 400 Hz) and DC (28 V) supplies
- Voltage, frequency and ripple considerations measured at the aircraft connector
- Interface requirements
- Connector interface and electromagnetic interference (EMI) expectations for aircraft and utility sides
- Protection and fault handling
- AC and DC protection principles including over/under‑voltage, frequency deviation, overcurrent/short circuit, phase sequence, DC content, open conductor and earth/ground fault detection
- Control circuits and interlocks
- Aircraft interlock signals and maintenance-mode provisions for AC facilities
- Testing, safety and design
- Test requirements and normative test listings for AC and DC facilities (Annex A and B)
- Mechanical and electrical safety features: anti‑arcing, earthing, overload and personnel safeguards
- General design guidance: environmental, lifecycle, corrosion/moisture resistance, serviceability, labelling and documentation
Practical applications and users
ISO 6858:2017 is intended for organizations and professionals who design, manufacture, install, operate or regulate aircraft ground electrical power systems, including:
- Airport engineering and ground operations teams
- Ground power unit (GPU) and central plant manufacturers
- Aircraft manufacturers and maintenance organizations
- Safety and compliance officers, regulators and certification bodies
- System integrators responsible for interface compatibility between aircraft and ground supplies
Adopting this standard helps ensure safe, compatible and interoperable ground-to-air electrical connections, reduces risk of damage from incorrect supply characteristics, improves personnel safety, and supports consistent testing and labelling practices.
Related standards
- References to ISO/IEC Directives and collaboration with the IEC on electrotechnical standardization are noted in the Foreword. Implementers should consider complementary IEC electrical standards and applicable regional aviation regulations when using ISO 6858:2017.
