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M13083-5 – Ametek Pacific Scientific Fire Extinguisher Discharge Cartridge
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The Ametek M13083-5 is a flight-critical, pyrotechnic gas-generating cartridge, commonly referred to as a squib, engineered for the instantaneous actuation of aircraft fire extinguisher systems. Manufactured by Ametek's Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company (PacSci EMC), this electro-explosive device (EED) is a single-use component that provides the definitive motive force to discharge the extinguishing agent (e.g., Halon 1301) from its container. Upon receiving a specific electrical firing current from the aircraft's fire detection and suppression system, the M13083-5 undergoes a controlled pyrotechnic event, generating a precise volume of high-pressure gas that unseats the extinguisher bottle's main valve or ruptures its burst disc.
As a hermetically sealed and life-limited component, the M13083-5 is designed for extreme reliability under the harshest operational conditions found in engine nacelles, APU compartments, and cargo bays. Its certification and manufacture are governed by exacting standards to ensure it performs flawlessly when commanded, as its function is directly linked to the preservation of the aircraft and the safety of its occupants. The use of an OEM-certified, in-date cartridge is non-negotiable for maintaining the airworthiness and safety integrity of the fire suppression system.
Key Features
Electro-Explosive Device (EED) Technology: Utilizes a high-reliability bridge wire and pyrotechnic charge for rapid, controlled gas generation upon electrical initiation.
Hermetically Sealed Construction: Features robust metal-to-glass seals at the electrical interface, preventing moisture and contaminants from degrading the internal charge, ensuring long-term reliability.
Defined Service & Shelf Life: Manufactured with a specific date of production and a mandatory replacement interval to guarantee performance.
High-Strength CRES Body: Machined from corrosion-resistant steel to withstand extreme temperatures and vibration within engine and APU compartments.
Redundant Safety Features: Engineered with precise "no-fire" and "all-fire" current specifications to prevent inadvertent discharge from stray voltage while ensuring actuation when commanded.
Single-Use, Flight-Critical Component: Designed for one-time activation, making it a critical line-replaceable unit in the aircraft's fire safety system.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: M13083-5
Component Type: Fire Extinguisher Discharge Cartridge / Squib / Gas Generator
OEM Manufacturer: Ametek (Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company - PacSci EMC)
Material: Body is typically manufactured from a high-grade Corrosion-Resistant Steel (CRES). The electrical connector features a glass-to-metal hermetic seal.
Finish: Natural metallic finish.
Electrical Interface: Standard military-specification electrical connector designed for secure, environmentally-sealed connection.
Bridge Resistance: Must be verified against the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), but typically falls within a narrow Ohm range (e.g., 1.0 ± 0.2 Ω).
Service Life: This is a life-limited part. The service life is calculated from the Date of Manufacture (DOM) stamped on the unit and must be verified in the aircraft maintenance program.
Governing Specifications: Manufactured and tested to meet rigorous aerospace and OEM-specific safety and performance standards.
Shipping Classification: Hazardous Material (HAZMAT). UN 0323, Cartridges, Power Device, Class 1.4S. Requires specialized packaging, labeling, and shipping procedures.
Aircraft Compatibility
The M13083-5 is installed on the fire extinguisher assemblies of numerous commercial transport category aircraft, including but not limited to:
Boeing: 737 Next Generation (NG) series, 747, 757, 767, 777
Airbus: Certain models may utilize this or an interchangeable part number.
Crucial Note: Verification against the specific aircraft's current Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) and Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) is mandatory to ensure correct part number applicability and installation eligibility.
Applications
The M13083-5 serves a single, critical purpose: the actuation of high-rate discharge (HRD) fire extinguisher bottles. It is installed directly into the discharge head assembly of fire bottles located in:
Engine Nacelles & Pylons
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Compartments
Cargo Bays
Why Choose M13083-5?
The M13083-5 cartridge is the trusted, OEM-specified initiator for critical fire suppression systems on millions of flight hours. Its reliability is the result of decades of energetic materials engineering and manufacturing control by Ametek PacSci EMC. Choosing a non-OEM, counterfeit, or out-of-date part introduces a catastrophic risk. An unreliable squib can either fail to activate during a fire event or, conversely, cause an inadvertent discharge, leading to costly and unnecessary maintenance and potential AOG situations. Adherence to the OEM part number and its specified service life is the only way to ensure the fire suppression system will function as certified.
The actuation of the M13083-5 cartridge is governed by the principles of electro-thermal physics. A precisely calibrated firing current, typically in the range of 3.5 to 5.0 amperes, is applied to an internal, high-resistance bridge wire. The rapid resistive heating, dictated by the power equation P=I2R, brings the bridge wire to incandescence in milliseconds. This thermal energy initiates a primary pyrotechnic compound (a heat-sensitive priming mix) coated directly onto the wire. The resulting deflagration is precisely channeled to ignite the main propellant grain, which is a stable, solid propellant composition. This grain is engineered to burn at a predictable rate, independent of external pressure, producing a controlled volume of high-pressure, inert gas. The entire event, from electrical impulse to full gas output, is completed in under 50 milliseconds, providing the powerful pneumatic force required to overcome the extinguisher bottle's valve assembly and discharge the agent. The hermetic glass-to-metal seal is critical, as any moisture ingress would alter the propellant's burn rate and compromise this deterministic performance.
Note: The M13083-5 is a flight-critical, single-use, life-limited, and HAZMAT component. It is an electro-explosive device that must be handled with extreme care. Handling, storage, and installation must be performed only by certified personnel with specific training on aircraft pyrotechnic devices, in strict accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and all safety regulations. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) precautions are mandatory during handling.
Documentation
No public-facing OEM or regulatory documentation was located for this part. All technical data, service life information, and installation procedures must be sourced from the airframe manufacturer's current maintenance documentation (e.g., AMM, CMM).
