Course on analyzing electrical faults in aircraft
Online course of 300 hours in aircraft electrical failure analysis. 6 modules covering electrical failure modes, failure analysis methods, troubleshooting, forensic laboratory analysis, and corrective and preventive action under SAE ARP4761, CS-25 Subpart H EWIS and FAA AC 25.1701-1, with an assigned technical tutor.
Course on analyzing electrical faults in aircraft — studying from Ireland
Ireland's aerospace sector is concentrated in Shannon, Limerick and the Dublin region, with a strong base of maintenance, repair and overhaul, avionics, aerostructures and engine component manufacturing. Multinational suppliers and specialist SMEs serve global airframe and engine programmes, while the Irish Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency shape certification and airworthiness requirements. Growing interest in drones, urban air mobility and space-related research is supported by university spin-outs and national research centres. Engineers here work on design assurance, systems integration, maintenance planning and compliance across the aviation value chain.
Fees for Ireland: €448 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by professional bodies in Ireland for aerospace work?
SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state-awarded, and are not accredited by any national body. Engineers Ireland is the main professional body for engineers in Ireland and sets its own membership criteria, so recognition is decided by them, not by SEIUM. Aviation safety oversight sits with the Irish Aviation Authority. Check directly with these bodies before relying on any credential for licensing or chartership.
Do Irish aerospace and drone employers value private online engineering qualifications?
Hiring in Ireland's aerospace and drone sector is generally driven by demonstrable skills, relevant experience and, for many roles, recognised degrees. A private qualification may support a CV, particularly alongside practical experience, but its weight is decided by each employer. We cannot promise any outcome. Speaking to prospective employers about how they view SEIUM's programmes is the most reliable way to judge.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in Ireland?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so there is no travel and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, so plan your weekly time accordingly. You will have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments. Some employers offer funding, which you should ask about directly.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the most frequent electrical failure modes in aircraft.
Apply FMEA and fault trees to electrical systems.
Locate faults using diagnosis and measurement techniques.
Carry out forensic analysis of damaged components.
Determine root causes with structured methods.
Propose effective corrective and preventive actions.
Interpret EWIS requirements and their application to maintenance.
Who it's for
- Reliability engineers
- Failure analysis engineers
- Avionics maintenance technicians
- In-service support engineers
- System safety engineers
- Aerospace quality engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter aircraft maintenance
What you'll work with
- SAE ARP4761 (safety assessment process for civil airborne systems)
- CS-25 Subpart H EWIS (EASA) (electrical wiring interconnection systems)
- FAA AC 25.1701-1 (certification of EWIS on transport category aeroplanes)
- MIL-HDBK-217F (reliability prediction of electronic equipment)
- IEC 60812 (failure modes and effects analysis)
- IEC 61025 (fault tree analysis)
- SAE AS50881 (wiring of aerospace vehicles)
- SAE AS5692 (arc fault circuit breakers)
- Isograph Reliability Workbench
- Ansys medini analyze
- MATLAB
- ReliaSoft XFMEA
- FLIR Thermal Studio
6 modules
1.1Short circuits and open circuits1.2Intermittent faults and their causes1.3Series and parallel electrical arcs1.4Insulation degradation1.5Corrosion in connectors1.6Failures in power electronics1.7Overheating failures1.8Effects of lightning and HIRF1.9Failures in batteries and chargers1.10Practical exercise: classification of failures from a fault history
2.1Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)2.2Fault tree analysis (FTA)2.3Root cause analysis with the 5 Whys2.4Ishikawa diagram2.5Common mode analysis (CMA)2.6Particular risk analysis2.7Failure rates and MIL-HDBK-217F2.8Wiring reliability2.9Failure trend analysis2.10Workshop: FMEA of a distribution panel
3.1Interpreting WDM diagrams3.2Measurements with multimeter and megohmmeter3.3Time-domain reflectometry (TDR)3.4Thermography of connections3.5CMC maintenance messages3.6Fault isolation manual (FIM)3.7Continuity and insulation tests3.8No fault found (NFF) failures3.9Use of automatic test equipment3.10Case study: locating an intermittent bus fault
4.1Visual inspection and stereomicroscopy4.2SEM-EDS electron microscopy4.3Analysis of arcing and conductor melting4.4Analysis of electronic components4.5X-ray and computed tomography4.6Chain of custody of evidence4.7Failure reproduction on the bench4.8Failure analysis report4.9Accelerated ageing tests4.10Lab: analysis of a connector with electrical arcing
5.1EWIS maintenance programme5.2CS-25 Subpart H requirements5.3Enhanced zonal analysis procedure (EZAP)5.4Airworthiness directives (AD)5.5Service bulletins5.6Fleet reliability and alerts5.7Arc fault circuit breakers (AFCB)5.8Lessons from electrical accidents5.9Reporting failures to the manufacturer5.10Case study: analysis of the Swissair 111 accident
6.1Selection of the failure case6.2Data and history collection6.3FMEA and fault tree analysis6.4Diagnosis and test plan6.5Determination of the root cause6.6Proposal of corrective actions6.7Effectiveness monitoring6.8In-service validation of the solution6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Isograph Reliability Workbench, Ansys medini analyze, MATLAB, ReliaSoft XFMEA and FLIR Thermal Studio, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: root cause analysis of real failures, forensic inspections of electrical components and fleet reliability studies. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: SAE ARP4761, CS-25 Subpart H EWIS (EASA), FAA AC 25.1701-1, MIL-HDBK-217F, IEC 60812, IEC 61025, SAE AS50881, SAE AS5692.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Isograph Reliability Workbench, Ansys medini analyze, MATLAB, ReliaSoft XFMEA and FLIR Thermal Studio, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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