Where does the AGL equipment go?
The vault feeds series circuits through ducts and handholes to a transformer at every light, and the tower controls it all over a link.
An AGL equipment location plan shows where each piece of AGL equipment is placed and how it connects. The AGL vault holds the CCRs and the ALCMS equipment and takes power from the utility supply, with standby power alongside. Each series circuit leaves the vault as a primary cable, runs through ducts with handholes at turns and joints, loops through the lights it serves and returns to its CCR.
At every light, an isolation transformer, in the base can or a pit close by, isolates the lamp from the series circuit and supplies it at its rated current, so one failed lamp does not break the loop. The air traffic control tower is the control point, linked to the vault for switching, dimming and status. The result is a plan that tells a technician which circuit feeds which light, and where to open it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is an AGL equipment location plan?
A drawing that shows where each piece of AGL equipment sits on the airfield: the vault and its CCRs, the control link to the tower, the primary cable routes, handholes and manholes, the isolation transformers at the lights, and the standby power source.
Q2What equipment does the plan show?
The AGL vault with its constant current regulators and ALCMS equipment, the air traffic control tower, standby power, primary cable routes in ducts, handholes and manholes, transformer pits, isolation transformers in the light bases, the PAPI, and, on a full plan, signs and the earthing network.
Q3Where is the AGL vault placed?
Airside, where primary cable runs to the circuits can be kept reasonably short and balanced, close to the power supply, and clear of the runway strip and protected areas. Each airport's design sets the exact position, and the CCR location entry covers it in more detail.
Q4Where do the isolation transformers go?
One sits at each light, in the base can below it or in a transformer pit close by. The primary series circuit passes through its primary winding, and a short secondary lead feeds the lamp or LED unit.
See It. Understand It. Then Learn How to Engineer It.
Recognising an AGL system visually is the first step. The next step is knowing how to design, install, test, commission and maintain them correctly.
Build Practical AGL Engineering Skills
Go deeper with structured training from Precision AGL Academy, covering:
Learn how each light, sign and circuit works as part of a complete airport lighting system, not just as an isolated diagram.