A330 Cargo Smoke test operations (also A320)

[Deeday]

I'm trying to get an A330 simulator right with regard to the Cargo Smoke test function. If anyone flying or maintaining it can shed some light on the matter, it would be much appreciated (the A320 has a similar set-up, as far as I can see).

Currently, on our simulator, if you press the CARGO SMOKE test push-button for less than 5 seconds, nothing happens.

If you press and hold it for at least 5 s, the smoke detection system test kicks off. Now the funny thing: on our sim, if you then release the test p/b, the test happily carries on by itself, completing the test of both channels in about a minute - which I believe is *wrong*. I would expect the test to immediately abort the moment you release the p/b, no matter what point of the test sequence it's got to.
In other words, to fully test both channels, I would expect that the crew would have to press and hold the p/b for as long as it takes to complete the test sequence (around a minute, from what I can see). Also, I believe that the 5 s wait at the start of the sequence is too long, and it should be more like a couple of seconds.

The technical documentation we have is unclear about this point (we only have a set of system design requirements), hence my question.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone operating the older A330s, fitted with the Smoke Detection and Control Unit (SDCU), and even more from anyone operating the newer ones, on which the unit has been replaced by the Smoke Detection Function integrated into the CIDS (SDF 1/2 on the overhead reset breaker panel).

Thanks!

[spannersatcx]

A330
On the panel 212VU:
- Push and hold the CARGO SMOKE TEST pushbutton switch 13WH for approx. 3 to 4 seconds.
On the panel 212VU (after approx. 3 seconds):
- The BTL1 and BTL2 legends in the DISCH indicator 3WX come on.

- The SQUIB legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX comes on.

- The SQUIB legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX comes on.

- Release the CARGO SMOKE TEST pushbutton switch 13WH.
- The BTL1 and BTL2 legends in the DISCH indicator 3WX go off.

- The SQUIB legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX goes off.

- The SQUIB legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX goes off.

After approx. 10 seconds.
On the panels 411VU and 412VU:
- The MASTER WARN lights flash.

- The Continuous Repetitive Chime (CRC) is heard.

On the Engine/Warning Display (EWD):
- SMOKE AVNCS VENT SMOKE comes on.

- SMOKE FWD CRG SMOKE comes on.

- SMOKE AFT/BULK CRG SMOKE comes on.

- If one of these warnings does not come on, on the ECAM control panel:

- Push and release the CLR pushbutton until all three warnings are shown.

On the panel 212VU:
- The AVNCS SMOKE legend comes on.

- The SMOKE legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX comes on.

- The SMOKE legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX comes on.

On the MCDU:
- The BULK CRG ISOL VALVES are shown in the FC position.

After approx. 30 seconds.
On the panels 411VU and 412VU:
- The MASTER WARN lights go off.

- The CRC stops.

On the EWD:
- SMOKE AVNCS VENT SMOKE goes off.

- SMOKE FWD CRG SMOKE goes off.

- SMOKE AFT/BULK CRG SMOKE goes off.

On the panel 212VU:
- The AVNCS SMOKE legend goes off.

- The SMOKE legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX goes off.

- The SMOKE legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX goes off.

- The BULK CRG ISOL VALVES are shown in the FO position.


- Wait for approx. 30 seconds.


After approx. 30 seconds.

On the panels 411VU and 412VU:
- The MASTER WARN lights flash.

- The CRC is heard.


On the Engine/Warning Display (EWD):
- SMOKE AVNCS VENT SMOKE comes on.

- SMOKE FWD CRG SMOKE comes on.

- SMOKE AFT/BULK CRG SMOKE comes on.


- If one of these warnings does not come on, on the ECAM control panel:

- Push and release the CLR pushbutton until all three warnings are shown.


On the panel 212VU:
- The AVNCS SMOKE legend comes on.

- The SMOKE legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX comes on.

- The SMOKE legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX comes on.


On the MCDU:
- The BULK CRG ISOL VALVES are shown in the FC position.


After approx. 30 seconds.

On the panels 411VU and 412VU:
- The MASTER WARN lights go off.

- The CRC stops.


On the EWD:
- SMOKE AVNCS VENT SMOKE goes off.

- SMOKE FWD CRG SMOKE goes off.

- SMOKE AFT/BULK CRG SMOKE goes off.


On the panel 212VU:
- The AVNCS SMOKE legend goes off.

- The SMOKE legend in the FWD AGENT pushbutton switch 4WX goes off.

- The SMOKE legend in the AFT AGENT pushbutton switch 6WX goes off.


On the MCDU:
- The BULK CRG ISOL VALVES are shown in the FO position.

NOTE: If the smoke warning sequence for each compartment (AVIONICS, FWD CARGO, AFT/BULK CARGO) has started one time or two times, the test is correct.

[Deeday]

spannersatcx, thanks for the input.
Is all of the above an actual observation or did you take it from a maintenance manual or similar?
Either way, I bet it refers to the old SDCU, as from my understanding with the new SDF unit you have to hold the PTT pressed in, to get all the above effects (but the test is also quicker). If you have a chance to find out, can you please let me know the unit type? One way to tell is to look at the reset breaker in the very top right corner of the RESET panel (261VU, I believe), whether it reads SDCU or SDF.

Cheers!

[spannersatcx]

sdf or sdcu the test is the same.