Controlled procedures for AGL electrical testing, cable and transformer testing, CCR input/output/current/voltage testing, functional testing of runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and signage circuits, and photometric testing — covering intensity, beam alignment, chromaticity, instrumentation, calibration verification, test reporting and fully integrated AGL system testing.
Technical Control — Test methods, acceptance criteria, test voltages, measurement locations, instrument requirements and photometric limits shall be taken from the approved project specifications, applicable ICAO/FAA/DGCA requirements, relevant IS/IEC standards, equipment manufacturer's instructions and approved airport maintenance procedures. Do not use a generic numerical acceptance value where the applicable standard or approved design specifies a different criterion.
To verify the insulation condition of AGL electrical circuits, cables or equipment using an approved insulation-resistance test method.
Verify:
Important — Never apply an insulation-resistance test to connected electronic equipment unless the manufacturer specifically permits it.
To verify electrical continuity of conductors and circuit paths.
To determine the resistance characteristics of the applicable earthing system.
Record:
To verify continuity of protective-earth and bonding conductors.
To verify the electrical integrity of AGL primary and secondary cables before commissioning, after repair or as part of periodic maintenance.
Depending on cable type and approved test plan:
To evaluate the insulation condition of AGL cables.
Critical Point — Long AGL cables can retain electrical charge after testing. Always follow the approved discharge procedure before touching or reconnecting conductors.
To verify the electrical and physical condition of AGL isolation transformers.
As applicable:
To verify the transformer turns ratio against the approved transformer specification.
To verify transformer output under the approved test conditions.
To verify the electrical supply provided to the CCR.
To verify CCR output performance.
To verify actual series-circuit current generated by the CCR.
Important — For a series AGL circuit, current regulation is a fundamental operating parameter. A current reading must be interpreted together with the CCR setting and circuit condition.
To verify CCR output voltage under defined operating conditions.
To verify that AGL equipment performs its intended function after installation, maintenance or modification.
Depending on system:
shall be verified where applicable.
To verify runway light operational, electrical, optical and mechanical condition.
To verify taxiway lighting operational and visual performance.
To verify the operational and optical condition of the approach lighting system.
To verify PAPI operational and optical performance.
Important — Routine functional testing does not replace the formal PAPI alignment and photometric verification procedure.
To verify airfield sign electrical, illumination and functional performance.
To measure and assess the photometric performance of AGL light sources against the applicable technical criteria.
Verify:
To measure the luminous intensity of an AGL light fixture in specified directions.
Important — A single intensity reading does not establish compliance with a complete photometric distribution requirement.
To verify that an AGL fixture's optical beam is correctly oriented.
To verify that emitted light falls within the applicable chromaticity requirements.
May include:
The exact colour requirements shall be taken from the applicable standard for the particular light function.
To ensure photometric instruments are correctly prepared and positioned before testing.
Verify:
To verify that the photometric instrument has valid calibration before use.
Critical Rule — Calibration validity and pre-use verification are different controls.
To ensure photometric test results are documented in a technically traceable format.
To verify the complete AGL chain from electrical supply and CCR through series circuits, transformers, fixtures, control systems and operational/photometric performance.
The full seven-stage integrated test sequence (Documentation → Electrical → CCR → Series Circuit → Control → Photometry → Final Acceptance) is set out in the Division 17 Master Workflow below.
Master testing workflow, quality hold points, master testing checklist, common testing failures and required records that apply across all 27 Division 17 procedures.
The following stage sequence should be applied whenever a full or integrated AGL test is required:
Stage 1 — Documentation
Stage 2 — Electrical
Stage 3 — CCR
Stage 4 — Series Circuit
Stage 5 — Control
Stage 6 — Photometry
Stage 7 — Final Acceptance
Work shall not proceed past a hold point until the associated inspection or verification has been completed and released.
The following items should be confirmed, as applicable, before AGL testing is closed out:
The following conditions should be specifically monitored during Division 17 testing:
The AGL testing organization should maintain, as applicable, a Master Test Record covering:
Each record entry should carry, at minimum, the following traceability fields:
“A test result is meaningful only when the equipment, test method, instrument, calibration status, test condition, measurement geometry and acceptance criterion are all controlled and traceable. AGL testing shall progress from electrical integrity → equipment performance → control response → field operation → photometric performance → integrated system verification.”
Test methods, acceptance criteria, test voltages, measurement locations, instrument requirements and photometric limits shall be taken from the approved project specifications, applicable ICAO/FAA/DGCA requirements, relevant IS/IEC standards, equipment manufacturer's instructions and approved airport maintenance procedures.
Generic numerical acceptance values shall not be substituted where the applicable standard or approved design specifies a different criterion — approved project specifications and applicable standards shall always take precedence.
Technical references behind the procedures in this division:
References are given at document or chapter level for technical orientation. Confirm the current edition, amendments and national adoption (for example DGCA CAR Section 4, FAA Advisory Circulars or EASA material) for each project. Approved project specifications, manufacturer instructions and the airport's own procedures take precedence, as stated in the precedence note above.
Quick answers about Testing & Photometry SOPs in the AGL SOP Library.
Division 17 is a set of 27 procedures (SOP-341 to SOP-367, Rev 0) for AGL electrical testing, cable and transformer testing, CCR input, output, current and voltage testing, and functional testing of runway, taxiway, approach, PAPI and signage circuits. It also covers photometric testing (intensity, beam alignment, chromaticity), instrumentation, calibration verification, test reporting and integrated AGL system testing.
The approved project specifications, applicable ICAO, FAA and DGCA requirements, relevant IS/IEC standards, manufacturer's instructions and approved airport maintenance procedures. A generic numerical acceptance value must not be used where the applicable standard or approved design specifies a different criterion.
An approved test procedure, circuit identification, electrical isolation and LOTO, equipment disconnected or protected where required, a calibrated insulation tester, the correct test voltage, identified test points and protection for sensitive electronic equipment (SOP-341). The circuit is proved dead before testing begins.
SOP-360 measures the photometric performance of AGL light sources such as runway, taxiway and approach lights, PAPI and signs where applicable. Before testing, verify the approved method, applicable standard, test geometry, instrument and its calibration status, ambient conditions, fixture condition, CCR setting and test location. Then set the approved CCR intensity, position the instrument and record the measurements.
No. Calibration validity and pre-use verification are different controls (SOP-365). Check the instrument ID, certificate, calibration and due dates, measurement range and detector condition, perform a pre-use reference check if required, and remove the instrument from service if calibration is expired or questionable.
SOP-367 verifies the complete chain from incoming supply and CCR through series circuits, cables, transformers, secondary circuits and earthing to the control scope (ALCMS, PLC, HMI, remote control and communication) and the field equipment. Performance checks include operation, intensity, alignment, chromaticity where applicable, alarm response and feedback.
Knowing the test procedure is essential. Understanding how photometric and electrical test results relate to AGL compliance takes deeper technical knowledge.
Learn through structured training covering:
Develop the technical foundation to work with AGL systems systematically, safely and confidently.
Please read before relying on any content on this page or on any SOP downloaded from it.