160544-1 – Bombardier Aerospace OEM APU Igniter APS2000
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
Overview
The 160544-1 is a genuine OEM, high-energy turbine igniter, a flight-critical component engineered specifically for the Sundstrand Power Systems (now Collins Aerospace) APS 2000 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). This APU is the factory-standard installation on the Bombardier Challenger 604 series of business jets. The igniter's sole function is to deliver a powerful, high-temperature spark into the APU's combustion chamber to ensure reliable light-off. Manufactured by leading aerospace ignition specialists to Bombardier's exact specifications, the 160544-1 is built with advanced materials to withstand the extreme environment within a turbine engine, guaranteeing the dispatch reliability required for corporate and mission-critical aviation.
Key Features
- High-Energy Surface Gap Design: Utilizes a semi-conductor/surface gap firing tip. This design allows the high-energy (Joule) discharge from the APU's exciter box to ionize a path, creating a massive, high-current plasma arc. This is essential for reliably igniting atomized jet fuel in all operating conditions, from sea level to high altitude.
- Advanced Alumina Ceramic Insulator: The core of the igniter is a high-purity alumina ceramic insulator, providing superior dielectric strength to prevent voltage leakage and flashover, and offering exceptional resistance to the extreme thermal shock of APU startup and shutdown cycles.
- High-Temperature Superalloy Construction: The body and shell of the igniter are machined from a high-strength, nickel-based superalloy. This provides robust resistance to the intense temperatures and corrosive, high-pressure gas environment of the APU's combustor section.
- Hermetic Sealing: Incorporates advanced glass and metal hermetic sealing to prevent the leakage of high-pressure combustion gases past the igniter, which is critical for protecting the ignition lead and exciter and ensuring proper APU performance.
- Genuine OEM Part: As a genuine part specified by Bombardier Aerospace, it guarantees the precise performance, service life, and material characteristics required by the APU and aircraft's original Type Certificate.
Technical Specifications
- Part Number: 160544-1
- Component Type: High-Energy Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Igniter Plug
- Firing End: Surface Gap, Solid Electrode
- Insulator Material: High-Purity Alumina Ceramic
- Shell Material: High-Temperature Nickel-Based Superalloy
- Primary Application: Sundstrand / Collins Aerospace APS 2000 APU
- Certification: FAA / TCCA Production Approval
Aircraft Compatibility
The 160544-1 igniter is the specified component for the APS 2000 APU, which is the standard fitment on the Bombardier Challenger 604 series.
- Primary Aircraft Platform:
- Bombardier Challenger 604
- Bombardier Challenger 605
- And other aircraft platforms utilizing the APS 2000 APU.
Applications
The 160544-1 is a flight-critical component for APU operation:
- APU Ignition: Delivers the spark required to initiate combustion in the APU, which provides electrical power for ground operations (lights, avionics, air conditioning) and high-pressure bleed air for main engine starting.
- In-Flight Backup: The APU serves as a critical source of backup electrical power in flight. A reliable igniter is essential to ensure the APU can be started at altitude in an emergency.
- Scheduled Maintenance Item: A life-limited component that must be inspected and replaced at specified service intervals to ensure continued APU dispatch reliability.
Why Choose 160544-1?
The APU is a key asset for any corporate jet, providing essential power and air conditioning on the ground without running the main engines. Its in-flight backup capability is a critical safety feature. The ability to reliably start the APU depends entirely on the health of its ignition system. Using a genuine OEM 160544-1 igniter guarantees you are installing a component with a known service life and the certified performance required to operate reliably in the extreme APU environment. For a component this vital to aircraft utility and safety, there is no substitute for a genuine, fully traceable OEM part.
Order Your 160544-1 APU Igniters Now
Ensure the dispatch reliability and safety of your aircraft's Auxiliary Power Unit with genuine, factory-certified components. Visit Airparts.aero to order your 160544-1 APU igniters today.
The 160544-1 igniter operates as part of a high-energy capacitor discharge ignition system. An exciter box converts the aircraft's DC power into high-voltage DC to charge a storage capacitor. Upon command, this capacitor discharges its entire energy load (measured in Joules) through a specialized ignition lead to the 160544-1 igniter. The igniter's surface-gap design features a low-resistance semiconductor material between the electrodes. The high-voltage pulse ionizes this material, creating a path for a very high-current, short-duration plasma arc. This arc is significantly hotter and more powerful than a conventional spark, ensuring it can reliably ignite the high-velocity, atomized jet fuel spray within the APU's combustor.
Note: This is a high-voltage, flight-critical component. Installation and handling must be performed by a certified A&P or AME mechanic in strict accordance with the current Bombardier aircraft and Collins Aerospace APU maintenance manuals. The ignition system carries lethal voltages and must be fully de-energized and grounded before any maintenance is performed.
